Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749- 1832) is widely regarded as one of the greatest visionaries and creative geniuses that the world has ever produced. A man of multiple talents, Goethe was a poet, critic, painter, scientist, statesman, philosopher, and theatre-manager (Willoughby, p. 9). However, Goethe's versatility of talent has not always been recognized. For, Goethe's unconventional approach to the subjects he was interested in, has, at times, been beyond the comprehension of many a scholarly and ordinary mind. As a result, Goethe has always been better known for the literary genius that he displayed in his novels, essays, poems, and plays. This perception of Goethe, in fact, has changed only recently with contemporary scholars in science, human behavior, philosophy, and literature acknowledging Goethe's visionary view of the universe and human nature. Thus, Goethe was a creative thinker who was far ahead of his times. It is said that a more complete understanding of any literary work is often gained through an understanding of the person who wrote it. This maxim is certainly true in the case of Goethe. As Willoughby (p. 9-11) observes, the complexity and range of Goethe's works can only be appreciated through an underst
Thus, there can be little doubt that Goethe was a creative thinker, poet extraordinaire, and literary genius who could easily understand the world and human nature. Indeed, this is the primary reason why Goethe is held with such great respect world over. There is one other reason, however, that Goethe should be respected. And, that is, the fact that he lived a long and productive life because he possessed a heightened consciousness of existence. This consciousness is reflected in lines that were discovered after his death: "And so my life took its course, amid activity and enjoyment, suffering and resistance, amid the love and approval, the hatred and dislike of others. Let any man whom a like fate has befallen, find himself mirrored in mine." (Willoughby, p. 27). Thus, it is evident that Goethe possessed a reflective mind, which was eternally contemplating and synthesizing the meaning and pattern of existence in the universe. Therefore, it is hardly surprising that Goethe used the opportunities presented by life in the University of Leipzig to the fullest. Although he was sent to study law, Goethe paid little attention to his legal studies. Instead, he chose to explore literature, write poetry, participate in student activities, and fall in love. Goethe did subsequently graduate as a lawyer from the University of Strassburg, but it is important to note that he seems to have concentrated more on literature and philosophy. In fact, Goethe completed a considerable body of lyrical verse, and a drama Gotz von Berlichingen when he was in Strassburg (Rascoe, p. 326). All was not, however, smooth sailing for Goethe. On the contrary, his early adult years in Frankfurt where he practiced as a lawyer till the time he left for Weimar were a period of painful transition and development (Willoughby, p. 16). So much so, that Goethe wrote The Sorrows of Young Werther to save himself from suicide and as a method of purging from his consciousness all the self-doubt, prejudices, and fears that were plaguing him (Rascoe, p. 322). Goethe's problems were finally solved when he was invited by the Duke of Weimar to make his home in the city of Weimar and work with him in affairs of state (Willoughby, p. 18-9).
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Approximate Word count = 1805
Approximate Pages = 7 (250 words per page double spaced)
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