In our discussion of Romanticism in class, it was said that Romantic works were often characterized by absolute creative freedom; they valued spontaneity and sincerity; and they were perfectly at home with obscurity (without necessarily seeking to be obscure). Furthermore, to Romanticists, what was going on in the heart was more important than what was going on the the head. They felt that nature was experienced by the entire body, not just the mind. Goethe's work, The Sorrows of Young Werther, characterizes this Romanticist ideology extremely well. In almost every letter, Werther mentions his heart:
"How strange is the human heart!" (23).
"I have met someone who has touched my heart" (34).
"My heart was full" (48).
"My heart is so overflowed with joy" (50).
Werther follows his heart, not his head. His obsession with Wahlheim and nature is that of a true Romanticist as well. In his May 10th letter, he describes his experience with his natural surroundings. He states that when he is in nature, he "can sense the presence of the Almighty, who in a state of continuous bliss bears and sustains us" (25). According to Romanticists, God is in nature, and nature is in God. Werther demonstrates his belief that God is best contacted through nature. He is not there to analyze like a scientist; he is there to feel. Goethe's work very accurately expresses Romantic thoughts and values. Reading The Sorrows of Young Werther was a great way for me to fully grasp the Romantic ideals. How else did Goethe's work convey Romanticism?
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The Sorrows of Young Werther is a good representation of work during the Romanticism on many levels. First of all, Romanticism involves an emotional engagement between author with his work. This book is drawn from Goethe’s own experiences, making it autobiographic. Thus, the emotions that Werther felt may be related to the feelings that Goethe had experienced, creating a personal connection. As you have mentioned, Romanticism valued sincerity. As I was reading this book, I can feel the sincerity of Werther’s words as he conveyed his intense feelings for Lotte in almost every letter.
ReplyDeleteAs we learned in class, Romanticism is the first three decade of the 19th century and is a response to the period of Enlightenment. The age of Enlightenment valued reason and logic. It is obvious that the choices that Werther made are far from logical and reasonable. Since Romanticists valued what goes on in the heart rather than the head, Werther words are a perfect representation of Romanticism. His words do not stem from reasoning or what is widely accepted by others, but are from his heart.
Another characteristic of Romanticist literature is the focus on the virtues, sufferings, and the emotional dramas of the common man. It is apparent that Werther is a regular man who is very sensitive and passionate. The readers can see his innermost thoughts and feel his sufferings as he sunk more into depression due to unrequited love.
One of the most obvious Romanticist characteristic is the appreciation of nature in The Sorrows of Young Werther. Werther often talked of the linden tree, where he was buried under, in his letters to Wilhelm. His love for nature is also expressed in July 24th letter, “My appreciation of nature, down to the most insignificant stone or blade of grass, has never been more keen or profound” (54).
“The Sorrows of Young Mike” recently published as a parody of “The Sorrows of Young Werther” by Goethe. I loved the aspects that were touched on in the updated version. John Zelazny, the writer of the parody, is in no way hiding from the original and makes this very clear. It is a marvelously done parody and takes on similar themes of class, religion and suicide. I love the way both books reflect on each other and think everyone interested in Werther should check out “The Sorrows of Young Mike.”
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