Hermann and Dorothea is an epic poem, an idyll, written by German writer Johann Wolfgang von Goethe between 1796 and 1797, and was to some extent suggested by Johann Heinrich Voss's Luise, an idyll in hexameters, which was first published in 1782-84. Goethe's work is set around 1792 at the beginning of the French Revolutionary Wars, when French forces under General Custine invaded and briefly occupied parts of the Palatinate. The story of the well-settled burgher's son marrying a poor fugitive was contained in an account of the Salzburg Protestants who, for their religion, in 1731 fled from their old homes into Germany. The inhabitants and conditions of the little town which is the scene of Hermann and Dorothea are pictured in contrast to the turmoil of the French Revolution, for they stand for the foundations on which civilization will always rest. The leading characters represent the standard callings of men - the farmer, the merchant, the apothecary-doctor, the minister, the judge. The hero is the true son of mother earth, given to tilling the soil and harvesting his crops. The life both in family and community is depicted as the fundamental social forms, with some hints of national life. The love story of the young couple is free from wild romance, indeed their love makes them look to the future not with any anticipation of pleasure or extravagance, but with the instinctive conviction that the true blessings of life flow from the performance of necessary tasks. The public spirit of Hermann's father germinates also in the son's character as his burning patriotism protests against the French invasion. But the spirit that permeates the poem as a whole is that of trust in the future and sympathy with mankind. Ewald Eiserhardt, who reviews this work for Encyclopedia Americana, cites the serene flow of presentation, the masterly descriptions of landscape and home, the plastic vigor of the main figures, the balance of color, all as rendering Hermann and Dorothea a great work of literary art.
There are few modern poems of any country so perfect in their kind as the Hermann and Dorothea of Goethe. In clearness of characterization, in unity of tone, in the adjustment of background and foreground, in the conduct of the narrative, it conforms admirably to the strict canons of art; yet it preserves a freshness and spontaneity in its emotional appeal that are rare in works of so classical a perfection in form.
There are few modern poems of any country so perfect in their kind as the Hermann and Dorothea of Goethe. In clearness of characterization, in unity of tone, in the adjustment of background and foreground, in the conduct of the narrative, it conforms admirably to the strict canons of art; yet it preserves a freshness and spontaneity in its emotional appeal that are rare in works of so classical a perfection in form.
"Hab ich den Markt und die Stra en doch nie so einsam gesehen Ist doch die Stadt wie gekehrt wie ausgestorben Nicht funfzig, Deucht mir, blieben zur ck von allen unsern Bewohnern. Was die Neugier nicht tut So rennt und l uft nun ein jeder, Um den traurigen Zug der armen Vertriebnen zu sehen. Bis zum Dammweg, welchen sie ziehn, ist's immer ein St ndchen, Und da l uft man hinab, im hei en Staube des Mittags. M cht ich mich doch nicht r hren vom Platz, um zu sehen das Elend Guter fliehender Menschen, die nun, mit geretteter Habe, Leider das berrheinische Land, das sch ne, verlassend, Zu uns her berkommen und durch den gl cklichen Winkel Dieses fruchtbaren Tals und seiner Kr mmungen wandern. Trefflich hast du gehandelt, o Frau, da du milde den Sohn fort Schicktest, mit altem Linnen und etwas Essen und Trinken, Um es den Armen zu spenden; denn Geben ist Sache des Reichen. Was der Junge doch f hrt und wie er b ndigt die Hengste Sehr gut nimmt das K tschchen sich aus, das neue; bequemlich s en viere darin und auf dem Bocke der Kutscher. Diesmal fuhr er allein; wie rollt' es leicht um die Ecke " So sprach, unter dem Tore des Hauses sitzend am Markte, Wohlbehaglich, zur Frau der Wirt zum Goldenen L wen.
Hermann und Dorothea ist ein unver nderter, hochwertiger Nachdruck der Originalausgabe. Hansebooks ist Herausgeber von Literatur zu unterschiedlichen Themengebieten wie Forschung und Wissenschaft, Reisen und Expeditionen, Kochen und Ern hrung, Medizin und weiteren Genres. Der Schwerpunkt des Verlages liegt auf dem Erhalt historischer Literatur. Viele Werke historischer Schriftsteller und Wissenschaftler sind heute nur noch als Antiquit ten erh ltlich. Hansebooks verlegt diese B cher neu und tr gt damit zum Erhalt selten gewordener Literatur und historischem Wissen auch f r die Zukunft bei.
Goethes Hermann und Dorothea is an unchanged, high-quality reprint of the original edition of 1916. Hansebooks is editor of the literature on different topic areas such as research and science, travel and expeditions, cooking and nutrition, medicine, and other genres. As a publisher we focus on the preservation of historical literature. Many works of historical writers and scientists are available today as antiques only. Hansebooks newly publishes these books and contributes to the preservation of literature which has become rare and historical knowledge for the future.
