Elective Affinities [Paperback]

Condemned as immoral when it was first published, this novel reflects the conflict Goethe felt between his respect for the conventions of marriage and the possibility of spontaneous passion.

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Elective Affinities - Johann Wolfgang von Goethe Introduction
Elective Affinities
Part One
Part TwoJohann Wolfgang von Goethewas born in Frankfurt-on-Main in 1749. He studied at Leipzig, where he showed interest in the occult, and at Strassburg, where Herder introduced him to Shakespeare’s works and to folk poetry. He produced some essays and lyrical verse, and at twenty-two wroteGötz von Berlichingen, a play which brought him national fame and established him in the current Sturm und Drang movement. This was followed by the novelThe Sorrows of Young Wertherin 1774, which was an even greater success.

Goethe began work onFaust, andEgmont, another tragedy before being invited to join the government of Weimar. His interest in the classical world led him to leave suddenly for Italy in 1786 and the Italian Journey recounts his travels there.Iphigenia in TaurisandTorquato Tasso, classical dramas, were written at this time. Returning to Weimar, Goethe started the second part ofFaust, encouraged by Schiller. In 1806 he married Christiane Vulpius. During this late period he finished his series of Wilhelm Master books and wrote many other works, includingThe Oriental Divan(1819). He also directed the State Thli