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Goethe’s last words, “Mehr Licht!” (“More light!”), have come to symbolize his insatiable thirst for knowledge and his unwavering curiosity about the world.
In today’s article, we take a look into his life as we find out more about his cause of death and how it all happened.
Goethe’s Biography
Johann Wolfgang (von) Goethe was born on August 28, 1749, in Frankfurt, Germany.
Johann Caspar Goethe his father was an Imperial Councillor, and his mother, Catharina Elisabeth Textor, was only 17 when they married. Goethe’s childhood was defined by a heavy emphasis on education and cultural enrichment, as his father sought to provide him with chances that he had missed out on.
Goethe received a well-rounded education from his father and private teachers, emphasising languages like Latin, Greek, French, Italian, and English.
He also learnt crucial talents such as dance, horseback riding, and fencing. The young Goethe showed remarkable promise, with an early interest in literature and the arts.
Goethe enrolled at the University of Leipzig to study law in 1771. His primary interest, though, was literature and poetry.
During his time in Leipzig, Goethe became involved with the literary movement Sturm und Drang, which emphasised emotional turbulence and individual expression. During this time, he developed his own distinct voice and writing style.
With the publication of his first novel, “The Sorrows of Young Werther,” in 1774, Goethe’s creative career took off. The novel was a huge success, propelling Goethe into the literary spotlight. Goethe decided to pursue a career in the arts rather than law after the popularity of his novel.
Goethe came to Weimar in 1775, at the request of Duke Karl August of Saxe-Weimar, where he spent the most of his adult life.
He joined the Duke’s privy council and had several administrative posts, including supervising the reopening of silver mines, instituting educational reforms, and helping the development of Weimar’s botanical park and the rebuilding of the Ducal Palace.
Goethe’s time in Weimar was not solely spent on administrative duties. He also became interested in science, producing his first important scientific paper, “Metamorphosis of Plants,” in 1790.
This sparked his interest in botany, anatomy, and colour, which would later culminate in his seminal works on these subjects.
Aside from his intellectual pursuits, Goethe was also heavily active in the theatrical world. In 1791, he was appointed managing director of the Weimar Theatre, where he worked with famed dramatist Friedrich Schiller, debuting many of his plays.
Their relationship and artistic collaboration are often regarded as among the most significant literary collaborations in history.
Goethe continued to write substantial literary works throughout his life, including his second book, “Wilhelm Meister’s Apprenticeship,” and the verse epic “Hermann and Dorothea.”
His most famous work, however, is “Faust,” a sad play that Goethe laboured on throughout his life. The first portion was published in 1808, while the second part was released after his death.
The importance of Goethe on Western literature, political theory, and philosophy cannot be emphasised.
His writings and ideas impacted numerous writers, intellectuals, and artists, establishing him as the greatest and most influential writer in German history. Goethe’s influence lives on today, from his profound insight into human nature to his explorations of science and aesthetics.
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe died at Weimar on March 22, 1832. His contributions to literature, science, and philosophy have had a lasting impact on Western society.
He is interred alongside other historical personalities in Weimar’s Historical Cemetery.
Goethe’s Cause Of Death
Goethe’s cause of death is reported to have been due to heart failure which he suffered leading to his demise.
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