1749 –Goethe was born on August 28 in Frankfurt am Main into a prosperous family Goethe was only 16 years old when he went to Leipzig to study law at the university, following his fathers wishes. Soon he realized he was more interested in literature and writing than law, but he finished his degree in 1771 in Strasbourg (now, France).

Goethe provided the Sturm und Drang movement with its first major drama, Götz von Berlichingen (a story of a 16th century robber baron, representing Goethe's youthful protest against the established order and his desire for intellectual freedom) 1774 – He produced the novel, Die Leiden des jungen Werthers (The Sorrows of Young Werther), which brought him worldwide fame (a story of a young man driven to suicide by an unhappy love affair)

Duke Karl August became Goethes patron and invited him to Weimar. Here, he spent most of his adult life, helping establish Weimar as a literary and intellectual centre – He was ennobled (adding the von to his name)

Italy Goethe made his first trip to Italy, which was very influential to his future work and his philosophical view of the world. Here he met Christiane Vulpius, the woman who would become his mistress, and many years later (in 1806) his wife. Together, they had one son, Julius August Walter von Goethe.

Schiller From 1794 Friedrich Schiller became his most important and influential friend, and together they helped begin the Weimar Classicism movement.

Faust The writing of his chief masterpiece, the drama Faust (Part One, 1808; Part Two, 1832), extended over practically the whole of Goethe's literary life, a period of 57 years. Faust focuses on the search for the meaning of existence and of the soul. In the story, Faust is condemned to remain unsatisfied by life after selling his soul to the devil (Mephistopheles)

In addition to writing, Goethe painted, worked on anatomy and botany, created a theory of colors, and directed a theater for 26 years. Goethe died on March 22, 1832 in Weimar

Abend = eveningLied = song Abendlied can define the type of song – typically melodic, dealing with themes of nature, leading into the night Other famous Abendlieder: Wiegenlied – Brahms (a.k.a. Brahms Lullaby) e=related e=related Der Mond ist aufgegangen - Claudius

Abendlied von Goethe has also been known as Wandrers Nachtlied II Simple translation: Über allen GipfelnOver all the hilltops Ist Ruh,is calm. In allen WipfelnIn all the treetops Spürest duyou feel Kaum einen Hauch;hardly a breath of air. Die Vögelein schweigen in Walde.The little birds fall silent in the woods. Warte nur, baldeJust wait... soon Ruhest du auch.you'll be at rest too.

Ich ging im WaldeI was walking in the woods So für mich hin,Just on a whim of mine, Und nichts zu suchen,And seeking nothing, Das war mein Sinn.That was my intention. Im Schatten sah ichIn the shade I saw Ein Blümchen stehn,A little flower standing Wie Sterne leuchtendLike stars glittering Wie Äuglein schön.Like beautiful little eyes. Ich wollt es brechen,I wanted to pick it Da sagt' es fein:When it said delicately: Soll ich zum Welken,Should I just wilt to Gebrochen sein?Be picked? Ich grubs mit allenI dug it out with all Den Würzeln aus,Its little roots. Zum Garten trug ichsTo the garden I carried it Am hübschen Haus.By the lovely house. Und pflanzt es wiederAnd replanted it Am stillen Ort;In this quiet spot; Nun zweigt es immerNow it keeps branching out Und blüht so fort.And blossoms ever forth.