Chapter 69 The Friendship of Goethe and Schiller

The Friendship of Goethe and Schiller Goethe and Schiller, the two great German poets, were contemporaries.However, in In terms of age and seniority, Goethe is a generation older, and Schiller is his younger generation, but their relationship The relationship is excellent, and their friendship was established through the long test and deep understanding of each other Yes, it can be said to be a good story in the history of German literature. The profound friendship established between Schiller and Goethe can be seen from the surviving collection of their letters can be seen in the.However, the two were not "love at first sight" from the beginning.When the two met for the first time

When we met, the young poet Schiller had a very bad impression of his old predecessor Goethe, even It can be said to be a disappointment, and there is a feeling of "being famous is not as good as meeting".Meanwhile, on the part of Goethe Said that although he had heard the name of the young poet Schiller at that time, and had a friend who wanted to write for him The two of them introduced, Goethe has repeatedly declined, do not want to meet the new poet.even for a while The two lived in the same city, and Goethe repeatedly avoided meeting Schiller.This is not Goethe's He is proud, but he has read Xi Yang's works and feels that the young poet's works reveal

His intense passion for resistance was completely in line with his aggressive and grandiose style at the time. I don't fit in, so I never want to meet him.The two of them had the opportunity to meet for the first time, so to speak By chance.Because it was not Goethe's invitation, or Schiller's agreement to meet Goethe, but Schiller's It was only by chance that Le met this great poet on an occasion. This happened in 1788, when Goethe was thirty-nine years old, a great contemporary German poet, And because of the book "The Sorrows of Young Werther", it has become an idol worshiped by European youth.

Schiller was only twenty-nine at the time.Although the play "The Bandit" has been written, it was very successful after it was staged. praise.But just because this script offended the powerful Duke of Uldenburg in his hometown, Schiller could not Living in peace in his hometown, he had no choice but to flee.Fortunately, Germany was dominated by many feudal nobles of different sizes at that time. The tribes ruled separately, and they governed independently, like many independent small countries.Schiller relied on his friend With the help of friends and sympathizers, they lived in exile and boarding life in the ruled areas of these small states.No

Speaking of literary and artistic achievements, his environment and status at this time were far behind Goethe.because Goethe was the guest of honor of the Duke of Weimar at this time, and because of his presence in Weimar, Weimar had already become the At that time, it was the center of German cultural activities.At this time he was returning from a trip to Italy, and many friends came to welcome him, and Schiller, who was also a guest in Weimar at the time, had the first opportunity to see this a great poet.However, because he was mixed among many welcomers at the time, Schiller had no chance at all.

Will be able to talk to Goethe alone.However, after Schiller met Goethe this time, he told his friend Kony Err (September 12, 1788), reporting his impressions, which contain A few sentences read: "Generally speaking, I don't think much of the lofty ideas he (referring to Goethe) has always had. He had been lowered by this personal contact with him.But I doubt it's possible for us become close friends.There are many things that still interest me, so I still hope to have Chance is with him.He was too far ahead of me - not in age - But in world experience and self-development - so I will never have the opportunity to meet on the road

get him.From the beginning, his whole life was against me, his world was not My world; our opinions and perspectives seem to be fundamentally different..." But in another letter, Schiller admitted that Goethe had a great influence on him and valued his criticism. review.Schiller put it this way: "Goethe made me determined to write my poems better and had a great influence. His Judgment works a lot for me.He praised my "Greek Gods" very much, but he felt A little too long; he may be right in his criticism.His vision is mature, and he is My opinion has always been more against than in favor.Therefore, since I most hope that others will treat me

True criticism, he can be said to be the most suitable one for me among all people.I will from someone else to get his opinion face to face, because I never mention myself in front of him." However, it goes without saying that in 1788 the two poets met for the first time, in a hurry, It can be said that the impression obtained by both parties is not very good.As far as Goethe was concerned, he was now well-known and I have just returned from a grand tour in Italy, and I am fascinated by the strong and mellow beauty of classical works. For Schiller The raging passion of rebellion expressed by the young poet in his work "The Robber" has

It is not pleasing to the eye, so he is very indifferent to this new poet.As for Schiller, he felt that he had always The great poet I adore seems to be out of reach after meeting. "Famous" feeling. In addition, Goethe did not intend to associate with him, which made Schiller intimidated and enthusiastic. Feeling cold down. But Goethe was a big-hearted man after all, although he didn't want to make friends with the new poet. friends, but when he knew that Schiller's sojourn life was difficult, he used his strength and recommended Schiller went to the University of Jena to teach history and solve his financial difficulties.Goethe was the European literary

Jijiu, a word of his approval can make a new recruit ten times worth, so this recommendation makes the banquet Le is very grateful. In this way, it was not until six years later that the two met again by chance.This time, Schiller With the past experience, he dare not be presumptuous in front of this senior again.So Goethe began to realize that his past reality After seeing the wrong person, the talent of the poet in front of him is not inferior to his own.I was so I don't like him because my point of view has a distance from him.As soon as Goethe found himself with these If you made a mistake, you should correct it in time, and take advantage of the opportunity of the two people meeting again, express your gratitude to Schiller on the spot.

own admiration for him.And this time, people met by accident at the door of a venue.goethe happy They talked with him, and the two walked and talked all the way until they reached the door of Schiller's apartment. Goethe was still reluctant to part with him, and went in with him.The two really made it They made friends, and since then formed a deep friendship between two great poets who have become good stories in the history of German literature. friendship. This happened in 1794. The two participated in a lecture on natural science in Jena together. meeting to discuss the changing phenomena of plants.Because the poet Goethe was always interested in botany, It can be said that he is also a naturalist.When the meeting was over, they happened to come out together, and met at the door, A few casual conversations made Goethe look at this junior with admiration.Goethe later wrote in a memoir In the article, he once frankly described how he changed his concept of Schiller at that time: "The relationship that suddenly developed between me and Schiller gave me more than I could have wished and hoped for. Satisfaction beyond expectations—this kind of relationship can be said to be the most worthwhile thing that fate arranged for me in my later years. A kind of attention.And this kind of happy encounter should be attributed to my understanding of the 'deformation of plants' research, because it was on this occasion that an opportunity arose to clarify the all misunderstandings to deliberately keep a distance from him". In this way, the two great German poets formed an unbreakable and profound friendship, It has an impact on my work and life.Unfortunately, Schiller was originally ten years younger than Goethe, But he lived a short life, only lived to be forty-six years old, and died of illness in 1805.older than him Goethe, who was ten years old, lived until 1832, at the age of eighty-three.but, The last ten years of Schiele's life were the period in which he gained the most in literature and art, and all these gains It was precisely because of his precious friendship with Goethe that he nurtured it.