- Born
- Died
- Birth nameJohann Wolfgang ('von' since 1782) von Goethe
- Johann Wolfgang Goethe was born on 28 August 1749 in Frankfurt am Main, Germany as son of a lawyer. After growing up in a privileged upper middle class family, he studied law in Leipzig from 1765 to 1768, although he was more interested in literature. As he was seriously ill, he had to interrupt his studies, but finally graduated in Strassburg with a degree in law. In the following years, his novel "The Sorrows of Young Werther" (1774) became one of the first bestsellers, making him a key author in the "Sturm und Drang" (Storm and Stress) movement. In 1775, he settled down in Weimar, being the Duke's adviser and writing popular dramas such as "Egmont" or "Torquato Tasso". One of his life's important milestones was the Italian Journey from 1786 and 1788, where he discovered his interest in Greek and Roman classicism. After his return to Germany, he began the "Weimar Classicism" movement with his good friend Friedrich Schiller, concentrating on poems and dramas such as his best known work "Faust", which he published in two parts (1808/1832). Beside his literary work, he contributed many interesting theories to sciences, making him Germany's leading polymath in that period. On 22 March 1832, he died in Weimar, the town he had lived for more than fifty years.- IMDb Mini Biography By: fippi2000
- SpouseChristiane Johanna Sophie Vulpius(1806 - 1816) (her death, 1 child)
- Considered Germany's greatest poet and playwright.
- Had worked on the "Faust" books for over 50 years and finished the second part shortly before his death.
- Estimated to have had an IQ of 210.
- Terribly afraid of dogs, hence in "Faust-Part 1", Mephistopholes is initially personified as a black poodle bringing evil.
- He was best friends with Friedrich Schiller. They are portrayed together in a statue in front of the Theater in Weimar, Germany.
- Girls we love for what they are; young men for what they promise to be.
- Nothing shows a man's character more than what he laughs at.
- If youth is a fault, it is one that one gets rid of soon enough.
- [on children] If children grew up according to early indications, we should have nothing but geniuses.
- [on choice] Decision and perseverance are the noblest qualities of man.
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