Introductory Studies in German Literature (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated.1904 Excerpt: ... CHAPTER IV GOETHE: "HERMANN AND DOROTHEA," THE MODERN GERMAN EPIC 1749-1804 We owe to genius always the same debt, of lifting the curtain from the common, and showing us that divinities are sitting disguised in the seeming gang of gypsies and peddlers.--Emerson. If a history of World Literature should be written dealing only with writers of literary masterpieces, without some knowledge of which a man's culture, to whatever nationality he belong, cannot be considered well rounded or complete, because they form an inherent and permanent contribution to the accumulated stock of the world's thought and progress--if, I say, such a history should be written, the figure of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe would stand out in bold relief. His would be a commanding position, such as he held during his lifetime whenever and wherever he chose to assert his natural birthright. A phenomenal intellect, as comprehensive as creative, combined with rare physical beauty of form and face, reflecting an independent life free from sordid care and toil--we understand the deep import of Napoleon's spontaneous words on seeing Goethe for the first time: Behold a man (Voila un homme ). Born on the 28th of August, i 749, in the old city of Frankfort-on-the-Main, his early environment was suited to broaden the horizon of a naturally active mind. Frankfort-on-the-Main, now annexed to Prussia, was then a free city. In the cathedral which has been lately restored, the German emperors of the Holy Roman Empire were crowned by the Elector of Mainz. Goethe himself witnessed (and minutely described) the coronation of Joseph II on the 3d of April, 1764. Here was also the famous Hall of the Romans ("Romer, Romersaal"), sometimes called the Imperial or the Electoral Hall ("Kaisersaal," "Wahlsaal"), ful...