The Autobiography of Goethe

by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Overview

This is a reproduction of a book published before 1923. This book may have occasional imperfections such as missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. that were either part of the original artifact, or were introduced by the scanning process. We believe this work is culturally important, and despite the imperfections, have elected to bring it back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works worldwide. We appreciate your understanding of the imperfections in the preservation process, and hope you enjoy this valuable book.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781020291593
Publisher:	Legare Street Press
Publication date:	07/18/2023
Pages:	554
Product dimensions:	6.14(w) x 9.21(h) x 1.19(d)

About the Author

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749–1832) was a towering figure in European literature, philosophy, and science, whose influence transcended national boundaries and intellectual disciplines. Born in Frankfurt am Main to a prosperous family, Goethe demonstrated precocious talent in both literature and the arts. His early immersion in classical studies, combined with a fascination for nature and human psychology, laid the foundation for a career marked by extraordinary versatility. He first gained prominence with The Sorrows of Young Werther (1774), a novel that not only captured the spirit of the Sturm und Drang movement but also transformed him into a cultural icon across Europe. Yet, Goethe’s genius extended far beyond romantic sentiment; his later works, including the monumental drama Faust, reflect a lifelong quest for intellectual breadth and artistic mastery.

Goethe’s intellectual interests were vast and interdisciplinary. As a statesman in Weimar, he played a vital role in shaping the cultural life of the German Enlightenment. His collaboration with Friedrich Schiller helped to usher in the era of Weimar Classicism, which sought to harmonize reason, beauty, and moral purpose. Goethe’s literary achievements—spanning poetry, drama, prose, and criticism—are matched by his contributions to fields such as botany, anatomy, and color theory. His scientific treatises, notably on plant morphology and optics, reveal a mind committed to understanding the unity of natural phenomena through both observation and creative insight.

Throughout his life, Goethe resisted the confines of any single intellectual category. He was at once a poet, philosopher, scientist, and statesman, embodying the ideal of the universal genius. His writings explore fundamental themes of human existence: the nature of love, the pursuit of knowledge, the tension between freedom and fate, and the individual’s search for meaning within a larger cosmic order. His ability to blend personal experience with universal reflection gives his work a timeless quality that continues to resonate with readers today.