The Collected Works (eBook)

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749–1832) remains one of the towering figures in German literature. His literary output encompasses a wide range of genres, including poetry, drama, and prose. Goethe was born in Frankfurt am Main and received a broad education, including studies in law at Leipzig and Strasbourg. His early fame was secured with the publication of 'The Sorrows of Young Werther' (1774), a seminal work of the Sturm und Drang movement, vividly capturing the inner turmoil and romantic longings of its protagonist. Goethe's oeuvre, however, cannot be confined to a single period or style. His 'Faust', a two-part dramatic work, represents a profound exploration of human striving and redemption and is frequently cited as one of the greatest achievements of German literature. Throughout his life, Goethe was also deeply involved in the sciences and arts, maintaining a long correspondence with Schiller and encroaching upon philosophy and aesthetics with his 'Wilhelm Meister's Apprenticeship', a bildungsroman that delved into the formation of artistic and personal identity. 'The Collected Works' of Goethe reveal a polymath's vision, a literary corpus that reflects the Enlightenment's spirit of inquiry and the Romantic era's depth of feeling. His works have continued to influence writers, thinkers, and artists long after his death, proving Goethe to be an enduring figure whose contributions to literature and culture remain relevant and revered.