Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Gotz von Berlichingen mit der Eisernen Hand [Gotz von Berlichingen with the Iron Hand]

Alexander Mathäs (University of Oregon)

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Ed. by Gerhard P. Knapp, University of Utah
The Literary Encyclopedia. Volume 1.4.1: German-language Writing and Culture: Germany, 500-present.
Vol. editors: Gerhard P. Knapp (University of Utah), Jennifer Marston William (Purdue University), Herbert Rowland (Purdue University), Jill E. Twark (East Carolina University)

Dates

First circulation or publication 1773

Places

Germany (Country of Origin)

Genres and Modes

Play

Resources

In 1770, while he was still in Strasbourg, Goethe had already planned to dramatize the Lebensbeschreibung Herrn Goezens von Perlichingen, zugenannt mit der eisernen Hand [Autobiography of Mr. Goez von Berlichingen, so called with the Iron Fist]. He wrote the first version of his play in six weeks in 1771. This version was published posthumously in 1832. The material reveals Goethe's enthusiasm for Shakespeare's larger-than-life characters. It also suited his newly found interest in medieval history, inspired by his friend and mentor Johann Gottfried Herder to whom he showed the play. Goethe had obtained his knowledge of the medieval legal system from J.St. Pütters' Grundriss …

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1559 words

Citation: Mathäs, Alexander. "Gotz von Berlichingen mit der Eisernen Hand". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 23 October 2005 [https://staging.litencyc.com/php/sworks.php?rec=true&UID=4904, accessed 05 April 2025.]