GERMANY AND GERMAN LITERATURE

MAP OF GERMANY

FAST FACTS

• Official Name: Federal Republic of Germany Bundesrepublik Deutschland• Demonym: German• Capital: Berlin (also the largest city)• Language: German• Currency: Euro• Religion: Christianity (66.8% of the total population• „Land of Poets and Thinkers“ (Land der dichter und denker)

Germany is famous for:

Beer(and for starting the Oktoberfest!)

Germany gave us:

Blue Jeans

Germany gave us:

Gummy Bears

The Christmas Tree

Germany gave us:

If you’re in Germany, try to visit:

The Rügen Cliffs

Cologne Cathedral (Kölner Dom)

If you’re in Germany, try to visit:

Neuschwanstein

If you’re in Germany, try to visit:

Yes, he’s German..

Adolf Hitler

Ludwig Van Beethoven

Yes, he’s German..

Yes, he’s German..

Diane Kruger

Yes, she’s German..

Heidi Klum

Yes, she’s German..

Yes, she’s German..

Theodor Mommsen

Yes, he’s a German..

Brothers Grimm (Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm)

Yes, he’s a German..

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Yes, he’s a German..

More on Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

• Described as a true Renaissance man• Germany’s greatest poet• Studied law but was more interested in poetry, arts and

concerts• Sturm und Drang (Storm and Stress), a literary movement• Christine Vulpu (wife)Famous Works:• The Sorrows of Young Werther (autobiographical novel)• Wilhelm Meister's Apprenticeship (2nd novel)• Faust (a drama)

FAUSTBackgrounder:- Based on a classic German legend; a man who is

dissatisfied with his life which led him to make a pact with the devil- Plays and comic puppet theatre loosely based on this

legend were popular throughout Germany in the 16th century, often reducing Faust and Mephistophelescto figures of vulgar fun.- The story was popularised in England by Christopher

Marlowe, who gave it a classic treatment in his play, The Tragical History of Doctor Faustus (1604).

Basis:- Johann Fust, Johann Gutenberg’s business partner- Dr. Johann Georg Faust (c.1480–1540), a magician

and alchemist probably from Knittlingen, Württemberg, who obtained a degree in divinity from Heidelberg University in 1509

FAUSTCharacters:

Faust - a doctor on a quest for the true meaning of life; a scholar who is highly successful yet dissatisfied with his life, which leads him to make a pact with the Devil, exchanging his soul for unlimited knowledge and worldly pleasuresMephistopheles -represents the devilGretchen - an innocent young woman, “love interest” of FaustHelen of Troy – personification of beautyGodEternal Womanhood/FeminineThe Three Archangels (Raphael, Gabriel, Michael)