Essay, Biography or Paragraph on “Goethe” complete biography for Class 10, Class 12 and Graduation and other classes.

Goethe

Germany : Pillar of German literature and culture

Born : 1749        Died : 1832

Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe, the towering pillar of German language and literature, was a committed writer besides orienting himself to be an artist, scientist and philosopher. Goethe’s life and thoughts were influenced by French, English and Sanskrit literature as also Greek and Roman civilizations. His philosophy was direct outcome of all these influences and Goethe was the looked upon with respect and admiration, not only during his life, but even now.

Goethe was born in a well-known family on August 29, 1749 at Frankfurt. He studied science at Leipzig and later at Strausbourg (1770). He met Herder (1744-1803) during this period. Herder was deeply influenced by Goethe. He was also influenced by medieval and contemporary erudites like Byron, Scott, Shakespeare, Goldsmith and Kalidas. He was an ardent admirer of Kalidas Shakuntalam.

He went to Italy in 1786. He studied arts, literature and science for a long period. His formative years coincided with the turbulent Sturm and Drag movements and he contributed to it the drama Gotz von Berlichingen (1773) and the novel Die Leiden des Jungen Werthers (1774) and The Sorrows of Young Werther. He fell in love with Charlotte von Stein who inspired some of his finest lyrics and to whom he wrote some 1500 letters. Although she is one among the inspirers, her influence was crucial in the development of Goethe’s classicism. He made many paintings and drawings and also write a drama. He was disappointed in love and suffered many troubles. Napoleon was deeply impressed by him. He wanted the world to become one through literature. His celebrated work is Faust. Other prominent books written by him are: Goetze, Sorrows of Werder and Efigany of Tauris. In-his fond memory, an educational institution devoted to German language and literature was founded in 1932 in Munich. The institute includes 21 schools within West Germany and 120 branches abroad.