Letters from Switzerland and Travels in Italy
Apr 2018 · Otbebookpublishing
Ebook
366
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About this ebook
Short excerpt: "Were, then, these Switzers free? Free, these opulent burghers in their little pent-up towns—free, those poor devils on their rocks and crags? What is it that man cannot be made to believe, especially when he cherishes in his heart the memory of some old tale of marvel? Once, forsooth, they did break a tyrant's yoke, and might for the moment fancy themselves free; but out of the carcase of the single oppressor the good sun, by a strange new birth, has hatched a swarm of petty tyrants. And so now they are ever telling that old tale of marvel: one hears it till one is sick of it. They formerly made themselves free, and have ever since remained free! and now they sit behind their walls, hugging themselves with their customs and laws—their philandering and philistering. And there, too, on the rocks, it is surely fine to talk of liberty, when for six months of the year they, like the marmot, are bound hand and foot by the snow."
About the author
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749-1832) stands as a towering figure in world literature, whose works and ideas transcended the confines of his native Germany to influence the entire Western canon. Born in Frankfurt to a well-to-do family, Goethe's early exposure to literature, art, and science set the stage for a life marked by intellectual curiosity and creative genius.Goethe's literary contributions are vast and varied, encompassing poetry, drama, novels, and scientific treatises. His magnum opus, "Faust," a dramatic exploration of ambition, desire, and redemption, remains a cornerstone of Western literature. Goethe's poetry, characterized by its emotional depth and lyrical beauty, has inspired countless poets and writers, including the likes of Percy Bysshe Shelley and Walt Whitman.A man of the Enlightenment, Goethe was deeply engaged with the scientific and philosophical currents of his time. His work in color theory and his botanical studies showcased his polymathic interests and his belief in the interconnectedness of all knowledge. Goethe's revolutionary ideas about individualism, nature, and the human spirit resonated with the burgeoning Romantic movement, influencing contemporaries such as Friedrich Schiller and later figures like Ralph Waldo Emerson.Not without controversy, Goethe's relationships and political stances often sparked debate. His liaison with Charlotte von Stein, a married woman, and his later relationship with the much younger Christiane Vulpius, whom he eventually married, challenged societal norms. Politically, his pragmatic approach to governance and his service at the Weimar court contrasted with the more radical revolutionary fervor of his age.Goethe's legacy endures not only through his literary masterpieces but also through his profound impact on the cultural and intellectual landscape of his time, making him a figure of enduring fascination for modern readers.
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