Erlkoenigin
The title of this blog, "Erlkoenigin," pays homage to the genius of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749-1832), arguably the greatest modern literary figure apart from Shakespeare. Goethe's seductively written poem Erlkoenig reveals a struggle of ideas between rational and sentimental schools of thought. The actual poem, along with an English translation by Sir Walter Scott, can be found here: http://graham.main.nc.us/~bhammel/erlkng.html
In Genius, an exploration of the top one hundred outstanding and creative minds of all time, Harold Bloom refers to Goethe as "wisest of all men of letters." Indeed, Goethe was not only wise but prescient: the themes of his works are particularly relevant to America's leadership in the world, as America and its allies promote freedom and innovation -- in all of its forms -- across the earth.
Unfortunately, Goethe is startingly undertaught and underappreciated by the current architects of academic curricula. However, as an irreverent and subtle wit, the spirit of Goethe is invoked in the blogosphere -- and remains an ideal symbol for a medium of ideas, rational thought, and insight.
In Genius, an exploration of the top one hundred outstanding and creative minds of all time, Harold Bloom refers to Goethe as "wisest of all men of letters." Indeed, Goethe was not only wise but prescient: the themes of his works are particularly relevant to America's leadership in the world, as America and its allies promote freedom and innovation -- in all of its forms -- across the earth.
Unfortunately, Goethe is startingly undertaught and underappreciated by the current architects of academic curricula. However, as an irreverent and subtle wit, the spirit of Goethe is invoked in the blogosphere -- and remains an ideal symbol for a medium of ideas, rational thought, and insight.
posted by TheCurmudgeon @ 3:05 PM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home