An analysis of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe's Faust and various poetic works.

Birth and Education

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe was brought into the world on August, 28th, 1749, in Frankfurt, Germany. His father was a well-respected German, who at the time was wealthy, educated, and of high social class. His mother was the progeny of the councilor, Textor. His mother inspired Goethe by making up stories as a child. In some ways this sparked the beginning of his career. (Encarta, 2)

Goethe's father, as a man of power, sought for him to receive the best education possible. Goethe was provided a private teacher who lived with the Goethes. At the age of eight years, Goethe was able to read and write at elementary level in the German, French, Italian, Greek, and Latin languages. His childhood provided him with the independence and maturity that stayed with him throughout his intellectual life. (Boyle, 1)

Goethe was inspired by literature, music, and poetry. It was a way for him to express his emotions and feelings, as he was only a child and did not know otherwise how to express them. At the early age of twelve, Goethe co-wrote a romantic novel, in which there were seven brothers, each of whom spoke a different language. Goethe was already influenced by his private teachers. Goethe became the hero of Frankfurt as his intellectual powers seemed to have no end. His father, however; was not in high spirits regarding his son, as he was fearful that the public would look more favorably upon his son, not himself. (Encarta, 3)

In the middle of his teenage years, Goethe was sent off to the University of Leipsig, where he was to study the theory of law, at his father's request. Goethe did not favor logic and public speaking. He continued to pursue his studies, however; they focused primarily on sociological...