Goethe’s novel The Sorrows of Young Werther made him a household name practically overnight. Its popularity was so great that men across Europe became gripped by ‘Werther Fever’, dressing as the hero in the novel. Unfortunately, several young men also copied Werther’s suicide, and the danger of further copycat suicides caused the novel to be banned in several countries. [1]
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, one of the greatest figures of German literature, passed away on 22 March 1832, at the age of 82. Goethe was an accomplished writer, poet, scientist and philosopher who made significant contributions to many fields during his long and productive life.
Goethe’s literary achievements are numerous and varied. His body of work includes poetry, plays, novels, and essays and he is known for his exploration of themes such as love, nature, human nature, and the pursuit of knowledge. His best-known novel is The Sorrows of Young Werther, written in six weeks when he was just 24 years old, and his play is Faust. In addition to his literary accomplishments, Goethe was also a renowned scientist and philosopher, making significant contributions to the fields of botany, anatomy, optics, and colour theory.
Throughout his life, Goethe remained active and continued to work on his writing and scientific pursuits until the very end. His last years were marked by several personal losses, including the death of his beloved wife, Christiane, in 1816, a loss that devastated him. However, he continued working, completing several major literary works and scientific studies in the years that followed.
In the months leading up to his death, Goethe experienced a series of health problems, including heart and lung issues. Despite this, he remained remarkably lucid and continued writing until the very end. In fact, on the day of his death (of apparent heart failure), he had been revising his manuscript for Wilhelm Meister’s Journeyman Years. According to his doctor, his last words were, “More light!”, but this has been disputed. Goethe is buried in the Ducal Vault at Weimar’s Historical Cemetery.
Goethe’s passing was a significant loss for the literary and scientific communities of his time. His contributions to German literature and culture were immense, and his ideas and insights continue to influence writers and thinkers to this day.