Goethe's The Sufferings of Young Werther

by

Emily Passini

" 'Human nature,' I contained, 'has its bounds: it can endure joy, sorrow, pain, up to a certain degree, and it perishes as soon as that degree is exceeded. In this case it is then not a question of whether a man is weak or strong, but whether he can outlast the measure of his suffering- be it spiritual or physical; and I find it just as strange to say that the man who takes his life is a coward, as it would be improper to call a man cowardly who dies of a malignant fever' " (Goethe 64).

These prophetic words issued from Goethe's troubled creation grasp the entire theme of The Sufferings of Young Werther. This novelette was written by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe in 1774, and it narrates a brief period in the life of young Werther. Goethe wrote a unique type of novel for his time. It encompasses all the classic aspects of German Romanticism, such as a deep understanding of nature, cathartic emotions, and the innocence and power of love. The novelette was considered a great innovation because of its deep emotional subject. The public saw this as enlightening because, until Goethe, no author had ventured into the psychological understandings of human beings. Goethe's work is highly charged with emotional fervor that captivates the reader, and takes them on journey into the mind of the young, tormented Werther.

In order to captivate his readers Goethe had to create a distinctive way in which to convey the sentiments of Werther. Ultimately, Goethe chose to present his story in the first person. Not only was the story written in the first person, but it was projected through the diary entries of young Werther. This style helps to demonstrate the exact thinking and emotions of Werther concerning his love, Charlotte. The diary entries are written with much detail and care, as though they were dictated by Werther himself. One begins to wonder how Goethe was able to transmit such a realistic point of view. It is almost as if he is recounting a story close to his own heart.

The Sufferings of Young Werther recount the story of Werther undying love for Charlotte, the eldest daughter of a local town bailiff. As the story opens, Werther is simply recounting his profound interest and love of nature in his diary. Werther is a classic romantic. As the days progress Werther is introduced to Charlotte and instantly falls in love with her. He describes their first meeting with vivid detail and deep emotional ties. The introduction of Werther to Charlotte occurs when Wilhelm, Charlotte's father, asks him to escort her to a local party. Werther happily obliges his friend, and does not think to much of this. The evening that the two spend together is filled with wonderful times. Werther gives much detail about how he loved watching Charlotte move on the dance floor. And there is equal detail when he expresses his disappointment upon hearing of her engagement to Albert. The evening ends with Werther escorting Charlotte home with the promise of seeing her soon.

The next few months are filled with encounters between Charlotte and Werther. He continues to express his desire to be with her. Werther feels as if Charlotte were his life; he must be with her. The relationship between the two does not seem to bother Albert, Charlotte's new husband, according to Werther. He writes extensively of how Albert is cordial and overly friendly to him. Most likely, Albert is displaying a facade in order to make his wife happy because, according to Werther, he was deeply in love with Charlotte as well.

As the months continue to go by, Werther becomes more and more distraught over his relationship with Charlotte. He feels that he can no longer live without her love. Werther wants more than just a mere friendship, but he realizes her marriage to Albert is final. The writings in his diary reveal a deeply troubled, confused, and sad young man. Thoughts of suicide begin to plague his mind. In the writings, he calls out to Charlotte claiming that he can no longer live, and he feels death would be a happy slumber. It is at this point in the novel that Goethe, himself, interrupts the novel with an Editor to the Reader. This is intended to describe the distraught mental state of Werther by the time December comes. Goethe explains that Werther has now subjected himself to a deep depression, and is highly contemplating suicide.

It is at Christmas that Werther decides to take his life. The ironic point to this story is the fact that he borrows the gun from Albert, Charlotte's husband. Werther makes it a point to write Charlotte a letter explaining his actions. He believes that he can no longer live without the prospect of her love. It is late December when Werther sends his servant to fetch Albert's gun. It is at this point that Charlotte begins to realize the plot of Werther, but she is too late. Early one morning Werther utters the words, "They are loaded- The clock strikes twelve! So be it, then!- Lotte! Lotte! farewell! farewell!", and shoots himself through the head. His servant finds him with a weak pulse and calls for the doctors. It is at this point that Charlotte runs to his side and falls in faint. Werther dies at twelve noon that same day and is buried in a place previously chosen by himself.

The story of young Werther is one that is full of deep emotional intrigue and heartache. It is a story that has the ability to touch every heart. The relationship between Charlotte and Werther is full of unattainable love and personal anguish. Goethe's ability to portray this scenario is to be envied by all. He must have, at one point in his life, felt these same feelings of love. The novelette is love story full all who have ever loved or want to love.


BIBLIOGRAPHY

Goethe, Johann Wolfgang. The Sufferings of Young Werther. Translated by Bayard Quincy Morgan. New York: Frederick Ungar Publishing Co, 1957.


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