Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. Biography


Johann Wolfgang Goethe is a German poet, prose writer, playwright, essayist, thinker and researcher. The main book of the writer, the tragedy “Faust”, is recognized as the peak phenomenon of fiction, and its main character stands alongside the greatest “eternal images.” Goethe is considered a symbol of the spiritual culture of Germany and the personification of the universal genius of world culture.

The Life of IV Goethe in the Dates and Facts

August 28, 1749 – was born in Frankfurt am Main, in the family of a rich burgher, belonging to the city top.

1765 – at the behest of his father entered the law faculty of the University in Leipzig, which at that time was called “Saxon Paris”.

1768 – due to a sudden serious illness he was forced to return home to Frankfurt, where he spent about a year, diligently doing self-education.

1770 – went to Strasbourg to continue his studies. There the young poet

got acquainted with the famous writer IG Gerder, who drew his attention to German folklore.

1772 – in the status of a licentiate of law came to Wetzlar to practice at the imperial court. In this town, Goethe entered the circle of educated youth, with whom he shared creative hobbies and leisure. There he experienced a violent love story, the heroine of which was the bride of his friend I. Kh. Kestner, Charlotte Buff. The torments of unrequited love forced the poet to leave Wetzlar soon.

In 1773 – wrote a play “Gets von Berlichingen”, which opened up new horizons of German drama. This year, the writer first turned to the theme of Faust, resulting in several scenes of the tragedy.

1774 – published the novel “The Sorrows of the Young Werther”, which was based on the love story that Goethe had experienced in Wetzlar.

In 1775, after some hesitation, the poet accepted the invitation of the Saxe-Weimar Duke Karl August and moved to Weimar as an honorary member of the board of the principality, but above all as a friend, adviser and colleague. After receiving

one of the highest posts in the principality, Goethe gradually concentrated in his hands all the threads of state administration: finance, industry, road construction, army service, education, theater, etc. Thanks to his efforts, prominent figures of German culture moved to Weimar, in one of the largest cultural centers of Germany. Among the writers who moved to Weimar was F. Schiller, with whom Goethe established relations of creative friendship, which marked a separate page in the history of German literature.

1777-1785 – worked on the novel “Wilhelm Meister’s Theatrical Call”.

1787 years. – there was a drama “Iphigenia in Tauris,” which marked Goethe’s entry into the classical period of creativity.

In 1786, tired of ten years of state service, the poet secretly fled to Italy, where he spent several happy years traveling in the country and studying the art of old masters.

1789 – Goethe returned to Weimar. Having refused other state posts, he retained the title of the first minister and the duty to supervise the sphere of enlightenment. In addition, he actively engaged in theater, which he himself organized. The poet regarded the theater as an “educational institution”, inspiring the public with worthy thoughts and improving its artistic taste.

1790 – based on impressions from the Italian journey, a series of poems “The Roman Elegies” and the drama “Torquato Tasso” were created. The same year, the publication of the first version of “Faust” under the title “Fragment” is dated.

1795-1796 years. – the novel “The Years of Wilhelm Meister’s Teaching” was published.

1798 – the epic poem “Herman and Dorothea” was completed.

1808 – published the first part of the tragedy “Faust”.

1811 – began to write an autobiography “Poetry and Truth”.

1819 – saw the light of the lyrical collection “The West-East Sofa”.

1829 gg. – The work on the novel “The Wanderings of Wilhelm Meister” is over.

1831 – the second part of “Faust” was completed.

March 22, 1832 – poet in Weimar.


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Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. Biography