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Johann Wolfgang von Goethe was without question the greatest German poet and writer of all times. Only view people now that he mada career in politics and saved the day by consolidating Weimars state budget during a big financial crisis.
Goethe was appointed as the Finance Minister of Weimar in 1782. His main task was to restore the highly indebted state budget. To pay off the state debts amounting to 130,000 talers, Goethe was able to convince the estates of Weimar, Jena, and Eisenach to reduce their annual appropriations for the military budget from 63,400 talers to 30,000 talers. This measure enabled him to reduce the debt burden of the country. It should be noted that during his time as Finance Minister, Goethe also held other political and administrative offices and held various positions at the court of Weimar.
Cutting war budgets pays off...
In 1784, during his Italian Journey, Goethe discovered the well-preserved skull of an extinct whale in a rock stratum. His observation led him to theorize that these creatures had once lived in the area, which implied that the land had once been the ocean floor. His findings and interpretations were early contributions to the development of the science of paleontology and the understanding of geological time and changes. This was remarkable given the era in which he lived, as the concept of "deep time" and the idea of extinct species only started to gain widespread acceptance in scientific communities later in the 19th century.
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His novel, "The Sorrows of Young Werther," became a cultural sensation in Europe and was associated with the Sturm und Drang literary movement. However, it is "Faust" that remains his magnum opus. "Faust" is considered one of the greatest works of German literature and has inspired countless adaptations and discussions.
Alongside Friedrich Schiller, Goethe established Weimar Classicism, a cultural and literary movement that combined aesthetics from ancient Greece and the Enlightenment era. His most notable scientific work is the "Theory of Colours," where he explored the nature of color from a perspective that differed from Isaac Newton's established theories. He was one of the key figures of the German Romantic period, shaping this era's philosophical and cultural ethos.
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Don't forget Heinrich von Kleist. Totally underrated and the no. three of the triumvirat
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Kleist was known for his unique narrative style, which often incorporated elements of irony, surprise, and paradox. His works often grapple with profound existential questions and the crises of personal identity.
He ended his own life in a suicide pact with a terminally ill friend, Henriette Vogel. On November 21, 1811, Kleist and Vogel shared a last meal together on the shores of the Kleiner Wannsee near Berlin, then Kleist shot Vogel at her request and then turned the pistol on himself.
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Like I said: those crazy crazy germans!
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I had no idea. I had to read The Sorrows (translated as sufferings when I read it) Of Young Werther in college, but we learned nothing about this.
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He was a highly respected, later ennobled, member of the upper class of Weimar. Steady guest at Arthur Schopenhauer's mother's literature circle.
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I imagine scenes from that movie Cabaret! I guess he wasn't suffering, huh?
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Oh, sorry. I do not know about this film.
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It was very popular in the U.S. in the 1970s. It was also a Broadway play. It was about a Berlin nightclub during Weimar. All about the decadence. All we know about Weimar is decadence and wheelbarrows full of worthless fiat.
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Ah. But it's Weimar of the 1920s. The 'circle' was organized by Mrs. Schopenhauer around 1800. Interesting time by the way. Arthur always fought his mother or better: she fought her son on being the better writer. Crazy Germans....
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I just looked at some photos. Beautiful city.
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My father was born nearby, in Georgenthal. It's lovely.