Goethe on World Literature

In this video, I'm discussing Goethes take on World literature and his works "The West Eastern Divan" & "The Sorrows Of Young Werther". Hope you enjoy :-)

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[karenyates]

I'm of German descent and studied German in college. I SO appreciate it whenever you choose texts to speak to us in German, as I immediately see the richness of the original language. I hope to hear you continue with even more German speaking with us!

[soroushzafarzadeh]

As a student primarily of the Persian literary heritage, I love learning about Goethe's thoughts regarding 'world literature', but I have only so much time!

[greatedges]

This is a very well done recap of Goethe's ideas. Thank you. Your content is always interesting, thoughtful, and enjoyable.

[ChanakyanStudent]

At the beginning of enlightenment, it was Voltaire who first started appreciating eastern texts. The German mind especially those under heavy influence of kant later took an appreciation to Indian texts when they were being translated by french jesuits and travellers. Goethe was merely one of the many intellectuals who got on this trend. He stated that quite possibly the greatest single work of literature was Adi Shakuntalam. Nietzsche who idealized Goethe later wrote that the one who would be able to bring the thoughts and philosophies of the west and east together would put an end to the problems of this world, a quote perhaps inspired by Goethe or Voltaire?

[mmclaug]

I think this is absolutely where your channel shines. Your passion for Goethe is contagious and I look forward to more videos to learn more.

[readreadofficial]

I really enjoy this format, a sort of study/recap of upcoming classes and exams. Keep them coming!

[juandesalgado]

(A long time ago, ) I bought Goethe's "Werther" multiple times, because it kept mysteriously disappearing from my library. Controlling parents :)

[emin_thepoet]

We had a very nice symposium on Hafiz the Persian poet who influenced Goethe here in Sarajevo last year at my Faculty and Goethe was commented by one of our German language professors so this was a good second-stage introduction. Thanks haha

[radiantchristina]

I have not read any Goethe. I have "maxims and reflections" and "the sorrows of young werther" on my book shelf. They've been sitting there for ages, yet I have yet to pick them up. I certainly am nowhere near ready to pick up Faust. Thank you for yet another educational yet soothing video.

[affanshikoh]

Goethe's fascination with the East led him to once compose "Mahomets Gesang", widely considered to be tribute to the Islamic Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). The Urdu-Persian language poet Muhammad Iqbal, who is revered in South East Asia as a leading voice of Islamic Revivalism and a pioneer of a brand of philosophy particular to the East which is grounded in the practical teachings of Islam, loved Goethe despite his Orientalist views. Most of Goethe's limited early understanding of the East (or the Orient, for lack of a better term) can be attributed to the lack of proper translation and dissemination of Middle Eastern and Asian literature in Europe. Iqbal saw the sincerity of Goethe in trying to decode his culture, and so wrote the free-verse poem "Ju-e-Ab" which is considered a rendering of Goethe's tribute to the Prophet. Iqbal even took the effort to go to Heidelberg to study philosophy, and there is a road there named after him too. Fascinating how different cultures can be brought together through mutual intrigue towards one another.

[triplea]

I always look forward to your weekly takes....

[jansmitsvanoyen]

Good luck on the exam!

Also, I would love a video on Werther! It's a book I feel I only get the surface of.

[polimata_o]

Quanta doçura e bom gosto em um vídeo. inscrito! Hug from Brazil =)

[booksandpoets]

Danke für dieses schöne Video! Ich hab leider wirklich meine Schwierigkeiten mit ihm, auch wenn man das als eigentlich nicht laut sagen darf. Ich finde keinen Zugang zu ihm, ich mag seine Texte nicht. Der einzige Text, der mich halbwegs erreicht hat, war der Werther. Aber wie gesagt, trotzdem toll, deinen Ausführungen und Gedanken zuzuhören! :)

[RipleyVolta]

I'm not personally familiar with Goethe but your description of his idea of "world literature" really resonates with me. Here in Australia there is a strong focus in the arts press/discourse on national work: Australians writing about Australians in Australia. And while it's great in one sense that we have these works being created that reflect a local experience, the way it's lauded, particularly by state bodies, has always felt somewhat stiflingly parochial to me, especially as a milennial who has grown up on the internet. The ability to connect with people and ideas across centuries and continents, and for the influence of these to mix together, is one of the most special things about art I think.

[vahankervanbachian]

Literature is created by man, in some way it is personalized, and we are victims, or sweet captives of profound wise mind.

What words can satisfy your presence, you are birth of the universe and not only the ephemeral mind of man. But you too are the reason and result of poetry.

[painbow]

If Orient is problematic then why isn't Asian? Are Koreans and Pakistanis the same?

[ethdow]

The name of the poet is "Hafez" and equating or associating the Persian literature with Islamic literature is the exact sort of Orientalism we should stay away from. It's like calling Wagner's operas "Judo-Christian", a comically bad description.

[candide]

One or two more years in university and she'll think that Goethe and all the other white classics are toxic masculine and colonialist. She's already on that way.

[MatWlson]

YT finally pressed the unpause ⏸️ button... but just for a few seconds. It was stuck at 8.97k for MONTHS. Today (June 16th 2024): 315k total views and 9.11k subs.. They might make you work real hard for 10k... But then once you get there, 20k will be much quicker and easier! 🚀