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Western Carolinian Volume 65 (66) Number 02

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  • 1A WESTERN 1U CAROLINIAN GET A LIFE August 30,2000 Goethe's Life Inspiration to all Students Holly Rhodarmer Features Editor Plunge boldly into the thick of life! Each lives it, not to many is it known, seize it where you will, it is interesting." Words written in another century should still inspire University students. As we celebrate the birthday of one of the greatest thinkers to walk the earth, it is worth while to contemplate the life of Goethe. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe was born in Frankfurt August 28,1749 to a well-to-do middle-class family. His father removed himself from public life to educate his children. Goethe recalls his upbringing as a chaotic experience, but his father's influence cultivated his fertile mind. At 16, Goethe began his studies at the University in Leipzig, what was then considered a leading cultural center. It was here he first began writing plays and poetry. In 1770 he came under the influence of Johann Gottfried von Herder, who introduced him to the works of Shakespeare. In 1771, Goethe received a licentiate in law at Strasbourg and began practicing law with his father. In 1775 he was invited to the ducal court of Karl Augustus in Saxe- Weimar, where he held numerous high offices and spent most of the remainder of his life. Goethe was not suited to the life of a lawyer, and during a two year sojourn in Italy he decided to devote the rest of his life to the arts. Goethe devoted much of his time to work in nearby Jena and from 1794 to 1805 developed an intense collaboration with Friedrich Schiller, a union that many regard as a high point in German letters. However contro- v e r s i a 1 Goethe's decision to withdraw from public life may have been, it led to his most important literary and scientific achievements. Goethe's creative powers endured until his death at age 82. Goethe's early work parodied fashionable literary correctness, formalism and cosmopolitanism. However he was ultimately celebrated for his version of Faust, which tells the story of a man Johann Wolfgang von Goethe who sells his soul to the devil in exchange for knowledge. According to German folklore Faust was a real man who live in the sixteenth century. Some of his later works began to be appreciated only in the 20th century, including the second part of Faust, the quietly ironic Elective Affinities (1809; Eng. trans., 1872), and the impassioned lyrical cycle, West-Eastern Divan (1819; Eng. trans., 1877). It is interesting to note Goethe expected that he would be remembered as a scientist. Biology owes much to him for his concept of morphology, which is fundamental to the theory of evolution. As a modern thinker Goethe wed his intellect to his incredible personal candor. Goethe was greatest as a lyric poet, and his other works often take their strength from lyricism. In the history of German literature he is credited with setting the stage for entire movements, for introducing new forms, such as the novella, and for profoundly influencing other forms, such as the novel. The time honored tradition of the pursuit of knowledge and wisdom was perfectly embodied by Goethe. As the leading Romantic thinker he forged new paths in poetry, philosophy and science. Germany has long embraced Goethe as an icon, and has dubbed the years 1749- 1832 the era of Goethe. His passion, criticism and lyrical ability inspire students nearly 160 years after his death. TlY^mrlCi idill JdlV LIGHTS BOOKSTORE 3 East lackson Street S^lva, NC 2S779 (828) 586-9499 www.citylightsnc.com Saturday, September 2 Hours of Operation: Monday - Saturday 9:00am - 9:00pm ■
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