In contemporary times, what value does Goethe hold?
Once upon a time, people were more captivated by German national poet Goethe. Is an old, intellectually inclined individual no longer suitable for current conversations? Pondering on his 275th birthday and still learning something?
Some time ago, when the Federal Art Hall presented a substantial exhibition on Goethe, two simple wooden planks were positioned at the entrance, one lengthy and one short. The long one displayed "Goethe," while the short one read "Compared to some random nobody." Artist Georg Herold utilized this artwork to explore the notion of feeling insignificant in the presence of Johann Wolfgang Superstar. But on August 28, the question arises if this is still the case. For Goethe is read less and performed less frequently. Is he still relevant?
For a considerable length of time, this inquiry would have been incomprehensible, given that if anyone held a towering position in Germany, it was Goethe. He was renowned as the "better self of the German people." During his lifetime, the poet, scientist, and Italy enthusiast enjoyed international celeb status.
On October 2, 1808, he even encountered Napoleon in Erfurt, whose influence and power reached most of Europe at the time. Napoleon was enjoying breakfast when Goethe appeared, and he warmly greeted Goethe with the famous phrase "Vous êtes un homme!" ("You are a man."). While unfathomable, possibly Napoleon was indicating they could converse as equals, or perhaps he was expressing his recognition of the renowned author. Gen Z would likely cheer excitably, shouting "Slay!" at this moment.
Napoleon then posed the question regarding Goethe's age, and when the author responded with "60," he praised his guest's longevity. Despite others claiming Goethe had grown quite stout during this period, Napoleon praised his physical health during the conversation. When discussing Goethe's early bestseller "The Sorrows of Young Werther," Napoleon discerned specific passages that he found implausible. Goethe found this amusing and responded that a writer could take such liberties.
"The Werther" debuted in 1774, catapulting Goethe – a 25-year-old man at the time – into fame across Europe almost overnight. The central character's suicide at the end, precipitated by romantic despair, was speculated to have spurred other young men in similar predicaments to commit suicide.
Whether a "Werther effect" actually existed is a subject of continuous debate. Like many other authors, Goethe eventually grew tired of fielding concerns about "The Werther." By way of illustration, Napoleon pronounced Goethe's difficult German name as "Göt." When Goethe retold the incident, he likely also jested about Napoleon.
Since his departure from this mortal realm in 1832 at the ripe age of 82, Goethe has maintained an almost divine presence over Germany. Despite occasional criticisms, such as labeling him as an upper-class foe, misogynist, or anti-Semite, his status remained unscathed. However, in recent years, something has transpired that may not have occurred previously: Interest in Goethe appears to be waning.
A survey conducted in 2022 revealed that "Faust" is no longer considered mandatory reading in many federal states. The German Stage Association mentioned that the play is performed less frequently and that only 8 productions were recorded in the 2022/23 season, in contrast to 20 predecessor years before the pandemic.
"In my opinion, the principal reason for this decline is that an elderly, intellectual white man may not necessarily be the principal figure in today's discourses," analyzes Detlev Baur, editor-in-chief of the specialist journal "Die Deutsche Bühne." "At the very least, reinterpretations like 'Doktormutter Faust,' which premiered last season and is now being staged again," he added.
Regarding school reading, Georg Büchner's critical drama "Woyzeck" has surpassed "Faust." The drama currently most frequently performed in theaters is, unsurprisingly, "Woyzeck." "There is a connection between school reading and theater play plans, but, of course, this also has deeper, thematic reasons," suggests Baur. Both plays currently garner significant interest in female roles: "The victim figures Gretchen and Marie are almost always rewritten or restaged."
Thomas Steinfeld, who recently concluded a near 800-page biography of the writer-genius ("Goethe – Portrait of a Life, Image of a Time"), also remarked on the decline in Goethe knowledge within the last decade: "Until a few years ago, one could rely on people having a shroud of Goethe's life and work. Admiration for him was predicated upon vague notions of a universally valid and revered monument." That contemporary conditions dictate otherwise may not be solely due to educational factors, but also to a more general decline in historical awareness.
A Goethe advocate tests novel methods
Perhaps lengthy reading sessions and three-hour performances are no longer the appropriate means to engage with the poet in the 21st century. Damian Mallepree from Essen-Kettwig has been experimenting with an alternative approach for four years: the Instagram format "Alles Goethe!" His mission is "to keep the conversation about Goethe and his era going." For this purpose, the Goethe enthusiast engages with individuals who share his interest in the poet or who have some connection to him or his epoch multiple times per week.
Among the attendees, there've been a fanatic Goethe admirer who's a nurse, an artist who shared insights into Goethe's perspectives on the sea, and a throat specialist who shared insights about Goether's distinctive voice. Additionally, there are events featuring renowned authors where attendees can interact with them live in the chat. Time and time again, intriguing facts about Weimar's councilor surface: A multibillion-dollar company in South Korea and Japan, named "Lotte," was established, inspired by Goethe's "The Sorrows of Young Werther"'s character. The company's founder, Shin Kyuk-Ho, was so captivated by the novel that he named his enterprise after the female lead.
Damian Mallepree expresses his thoughts, stating, "I believe it's about connections and interactions." With a modest follower count of 1600, he shares that he knows each of his followers quite well. His background in German studies and marketing led him to write his dissertation on Goethe, and he believes Goethe is more of a connector than a guide: "Goethe no longer tells us where to go, but unites us by creating common ground." His versatility and openness make him a non-conformist: "Goethe doesn't fit into neat categories, but invites room for interpretation."
When it comes to exploring Goethe further, it's not a simple task, cautions biographer Steinfeld: "If you want to appreciate his works, you'll have to stretch yourself mentally." But with the effort, a wealth of ideas will emerge. His advice for getting started is straightforward: "Start with 'Werther'."
Despite Goethe's enduring influence and iconic status in Germany, recent surveys indicate a decline in interest, with less frequent performances of "Faust" and "Faust" no longer being considered mandatory reading in many federal states. This shift in interest has prompted discussions about the relevance of "The Community"’s aging intellectual icons in contemporary discourses.
In response to this decline, Goethe advocates like Damian Mallepree are experimenting with alternative forms of engagement, such as using the Instagram format "Alles Goethe!" to foster interactions and share insights about the poet and his era, engaging followers and renowned authors alike.
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