He was a lawyer, a scientist and a theater manager, just to name a few of Goethe's hats. On the 70th anniversary of the Goethe dictionary, we look at why Germany's most famous writer was about more than just words.
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Goethe's many hats
He is said to be the best German-language writer of all time, but that wasn't enough for Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. From theater to science, here's a look at the Goethe's diverse pursuits.
Image: ullstein bild - JOKER/Haefele
Goethe the public servant
At the age of 26, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe started working at the court in Weimar and became a minister under Karl August, Grand Duke of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach. His tasks included overseeing the mining industry and managing the bureaus for road-building and war. In an effort to cut costs and get rid of debt he halved the size of the military.
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Goethe the faithful friend
From his time as a minister to the end of his life, Goethe lived in this garden house in Weimar. Grand Duke Karl-August was not just his employer, but his friend for 53 years. They didn't agree on everything, however. Known for being strong-willed, Goethe tested their friendship by suddenly leaving on long journeys. Karl-August gave Goethe a noble title in 1782 - which added the "von" to his name.
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Goethe the scientist
Goethe had plenty to do at the court in Weimar, though the work didn't quench his thirst for knowledge. He spent time exploring the fields of geology, botany, mineralogy, and osteology. Later, he took an interest in plant metamorphosis and was a pioneer in morphology, which is the study of the form and structure of organisms and their specific structural features.
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Goethe the Italy fan
When Goethe got tired of his work as a minister, he picked up and went to Italy for two years in 1786. There he developed an interest in the antiquity and the Renaissance. In letters from Italy, he spoke of feeling "reborn" and experienced a "new youth." Inspired by Italy, he worked on plays like "Iphigenia in Tauris," "Egmont" and "Torquato Tasso."
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Goethe the garden artist
Goethe loved flowers in general and mallows in particular. Although he never visited England, he was fascinated by English landscaping and implemented some techniques from the island in the Park an der Ilm in Weimar. The Roman House, pictured here, was inspired by Goethe's time in Italy. He oversaw the initial phase of its construction.
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Goethe the lover
Pictured is Christiane Vulpius, Goethe's mistress who would later become his wife. She was of simple means and Goethe's mother called her "Bettschatz," or "bed darling." She provided the inspiration for the poet's "Roman Elegies," 24 erotic poems that were much too scandalous for Weimar. Influenced by ancient poets and true to form, the elegies also marked Goethe's emancipation as an author.
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Goethe the theater director
Goethe spent over 20 years as an artistic director, first at the Liebhabertheater at the Weimar court and later at the newly founded Weimar Hoftheater. Early on, he would perform himself in the plays - occasionally with his friend, Karl-August. Later, the Hoftheater became one of the most important stages in German-speaking Europe.
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Goethe the classicist
Goethe and Schiller were both freethinkers. At the beginning, Schiller called Goethe "a cold egotist," while Goethe spoke of a "failed meeting" with his colleague. And yet, they couldn't do without each other and went on to jointly develop the literary approach that is known as Weimar Classicism. Goethe later wrote that Schiller had made him a poet again.
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Goethe the color theorist
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe spent 20 years considering the essence of color. In 1810, he published his own theory of color in two comprehensive volumes and diagrams. Viewing it as an affront to science, the academic world wasn't interested in the publication, which disappointed Goethe. However, the work was later valued by philosophers.
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Goethe the bridge builder
Goethe was not only inspired by Italy and the antiquity. He also studied Arabic and Persian and read the Koran and the works of well-known Persian poet and mystic Hafez. Winning creative energy from the newly discovered cultures, Goethe produced his largest collection of poetry, "The West-Eastern Divan," in 1819.
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Goethe the seeker
To what extent is Goethe's masterpiece "Faust" autobiographical? The author and his protagonist are both searching for the thread that holds the world together. The scholar Faust is confronted with greed, desire, failed relationships, magic, guilt, faith, divine forgiveness, salvation and much more. And Goethe…?
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If you just take a look at Johann Wolfgang von Goethe's (1749-1832) literary oeuvre, you'd come to the conclusion that he was a pretty smart guy. After all, he's considered one of the most significant German writers of all time. His repertoire includes everything from plays and poems to autobiographical texts. Even his extensive correspondence is considered to have literary significance.
As was typical for a well-situated family in the 18th century, Goethe had received an extensive education with private teachers. In his social class, the young Goethe wasn't able to freely choose his profession, but had to follow the wishes of his father, so he studied law in Leizpig and Strasbourg. After that, he worked as a lawyer in Wetzlar and Frankfurt.
But little by little, his true calling took over and his passion for poetry became his full-time job. His play "Götz von Berlichingen," published in 1773, became his first big success and he received rave reviews from the literary world.
International success with 'Faust'
Goethe's fame spread across Europe the following year with his novel "Die Leiden des jungen Werthers" (The Sorrows of Young Werther). It is a tragic tale of a man who falls in love with a woman who is already engaged to someone else and ends with the protagonist's suicide. The story was based on the real experiences of a friend of Goethe's in Wetzlar.
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe's literary talent culminated in his masterpiece, "Faust" (1808). The main character, who Goethe called Heinrich Faust, was based on a respected scholar named Johann Georg Faust, who lived at the beginning of the modern era.
In Goethe's tale, Faust is a deeply unhappy person who makes a deal with the devil - which leads to fatal consequences and surprising realizations. Goethe turned his Faust into a symbol for the trend of aimlessness he observed in the early 19th century.
"Faust" is considered the most significant work in German literature and it brought Goethe international renown even during his lifetime. In the 21st century, Goethe's poems, plays and novels continue to be required reading in schools and are seen as literary pillars.
More than just a writer
Seventy years ago, on December 12, 1946, the first Goethe dictionary was published - a lexicon delineating the ideals of Weimar Classicism and Goethe's extraordinary use of language.
The writer's literary successes are so conspicuous, that his other accomplishments are easily overlooked. Goethe was a man of many talents.
Not only did he make noteworthy contributions to the natural sciences, but he brought innovations to Weimar during his years as a public administrator. He was fascinated by foreign cultures and passionate about managing, performing in and writing for the theater.
Click through the gallery above for an overview of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe's numerous accomplishments and areas of interest.
