Johann Wolfgang von Goeth essays

Johann Wolfgang von Goeth essays Johann Wolfgang von Goethe was born on August 28,1749, in Frankfurt am Main. In his early teen years he had already learnt the languages of, German, French, Italian, English, Latin, and Yiddish. In his free time he would write plays and poems for all occasions. At age sixteen he was sent to the University of Leipzig by his father, to study law. He studied there from 1765 to 1768. He lost interest in the legal system and developed an interest in literature. He also became acquainted with the dramatic works then. It is said that the most important advances Goethe made, he made in Leipzig. His first play was done while he was here. It was Die Laune des Verliebten (The Wayward Lover). His second play was Die Mitschuldigen (Fellow Culprits) was written soon after he went back to Frankfurt when his health took a turn for the worse. At Frankfurt, he studied occult, philosophy, astrology, and alchemy. Through the influence of his mother, Susanne Katharina von Klettenberg, Goethe gained some insight into religious mysteries. From 1770 to 1771 he went back to Stasbourg to continue his study of law; in addition, he took up the study of music, art, anatomy, and chemistry. These seventeen months in Strasbourg are usually identified as one of the major turning points in his career. Strasbourg was more German culturally than Leipzig, and this affected Goethe in a good way. This was visible immediately in the grace, power, and freedom of the folksong like poems such as Mailied (Maysong) and Willkommen zum Abschied (Welcome and Farewell). In September 1771 Goethe returned to Frankfurt, to begin a law career but instead to begin the most visible literary career in German history. Goethe began to practice law, having a seat on the supreme court of the Holy Roman Empire. In 1775 he became engaged to Anna Elisabeth (Lili) Schoeneman, the daughter of wealthy banker. Although it inspired some wonderful poems, the engagement w...