18th and 19th Century: Poets and Writers

                                                    18th and 19th Century: Poets and Writers
                  German literature was a huge part of this historical time period, as well as now, it is still very researched and used today.
                  This time period is known as Romanticism or the Romantic Era. It is a time of artistic, literary, and intellectual movement that originated in Europe toward the end of the 18th century. It was embodied most strongly in the visual arts, music, and literature, but had a major impact on history, geography, education, and the natural sciences.
                   German literature in the 19th century was written against a background of political aspirations for nationhood, democracy, and freedom of speech.
                    Here are a few of the most famous authors from this time period:
                Heinrich Heine - A great poet whose works explored his own deeply divided consciousness.
                              

I LOVE THIS WHITE AND SLENDER BODY
by: Heinrich Heine (1799-1856)

LOVE this white and slender body,

These limbs that answer Love's caresses,

Passionate eyes, and forehead covered

With heavy waves of thick, black tresses.

 

You are the very one I've searched for

In many lands, in every weather.

You are my sort; you understand me;

As equals we can talk together.

 

In me you've found the man you care for.

And, for a while, you'll richly pay me

With kindness, kisses and endearments--

And then, as usual, you'll betray me.

            Johann Wolfgang von Goethe - A German writer and statesman. His works include epic and lyric poetry written in a variety of styles.
        
      

THE DANCE OF THE DEAD
by: Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

HE warder he gazes o' the night

On the graveyards under him lying,

The moon into clearness throws all by her light,

The night with the daylight is vying.

There's a stir in the graves, and forth from their tombs

The form of a man, then a woman next looms

In garments long trailing and snowy.

 

They stretch themselves out, and with eager delight

Join the bones for the revel and dancing --

Young and old, rich and poor, the lady and the knight,

Their trains are a hindrance to dancing.

And since here by shame they no longer are bound,

They shuffle them off, and lo, strewn lie around

Their garments on each little hillock.

 

Here rises a shank, and a leg wobbles there

With lewd diabolical gesture;

And clatter and rattle of bones you might hear,

As of one beating sticks to a measure.

This seems to the warder a laughable game:

Then the tempter, low whispering, up to him came:

"In one of their shrouds go and wrap thee."

 

'Twas done soon as said; then he gained in wild flight

Concealment behind the church portal,

The moon all the while throws her bright beams of light

On the dance where they revel and sport all.

First one, then another, dispersed all are they,

And donning their shrouds steal the spectres away,

And under the graves all is quiet.

 

But one of them stumbles and fumbles along,

'Midst the tombstones groping intently;

But none of his comrades have done him this wrong,

His shroud in the breeze 'gins to scent he.

He rattles the door of the tower, but can find

No entrance -- good luck to the warder behind! --

'Tis barred with blest crosses of metal.

 

His shroud must he have, or rest can he ne'er;

And so, without further preambles,

The old Gothic carving he grips then and there,

From turret to pinnacle scrambles.

Alas for the warder! all's over, I fear;

From buttress to buttress in dev'lish career

He climbs like a long-legged spider.

 

The warder he trembles, and pale doth he look,

That shroud he would gladly be giving,

When piercing transfixed it a sharp-pointed hook!

He thought his last hour he was living.

Clouds cover already the vanishing moon,

With thunderous clang beats the clock a loud One --

Below lies the skeleton, shattered.

Georg Buchner- The most important dramatist of the mid 19th century. Today, Germany's most prestigious literary prize, the Buchner - Preis, is named after him.

 

Danton's Death --- Plot Summary: The play follows the story of Georges Danton, a leader of the French Revolution, during the lull between the first and second terrors. Georges Danton created the office of the Revolutionary Tribunal as a strong arm for the Revolutionary Government. With this, to be accused of anything real or imagined was to be condemned to death without trial, proofs, evidence or witnesses. Within months he knew this power was a terrible mistake and fought to have it ended. Robespierre stopped him and used the Tribunal to have Danton and all opposition killed, consolidate his power and slaughter uncounted thousands of French men, women, and children. Ultimately he followed Danton to the guillotine. Witnesses describe Danton as dying bravely comforting other innocents executed with him.

 

---- These are only a few of the works that these men created. They are magnificent!!