preview

Comparison Of Johann Wolfgang Von Goe German Classical And German Romanticism

Decent Essays

There is an ongoing debate in literary circles whether Johann Wolfgang von Goethe’s works should be considered German Classical or European Romanticism. Complicating matters are statements by Goethe such as his infamous statement “The Classical I call healthy and the Romantic sick . . . Most of the new poetry is not Romantic because it is new, but it is because it is weak, sickly, and ill, and the old is not Classical because it is old, but because it is strong, fresh, cheerful, and healthy.” (Conversations with Eckerman, April 2, 1829). Works such as Faust by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (Part I 1808, Part II 1832) complicate classifications even further as this masterpiece is in two separate sections, composed years apart, with some categorizing the Part I and Part II differently. However, Faust, Part I, does have many elements, such as spiritual growth and topics and characters of the supernatural, that match the European Romanticism philosophies.
Faust had gained a great wealth of knowledge studying various subjects that require rational and scientific thought processes and yet, he is no longer satisfied with the world in which he lives. Upon realizing something is missing that he cannot gain through his traditional academic studies, he strives to gain knowledge of the spiritual world and the mysteries they hold. The era of Romanticism entails a core belief that spiritual growth is essential and would allow people to evolve and increase their human potential. Moreover,

Get Access