Goethes Magical Philosophy and Possession of Nature Essay -- Goethe

Goethes Magical ism and Possession of Nature After hearing comments from the class, and especially Professor, about Goethes annexation of spirit I began to wonder about the argument I had presented in our presentation. I decided to do further research and found more than or less interesting arguments that both supported and detracted from my original statement. Although I count Goethes consanguinity to nature is undeniable, perhaps his appropriation of nature is less clear. I think the term appropriation is the cause of the problem in identifying his true kinship to nature. In our presentation we presented examples of the appropriation of nature through Romantic literature. The nearly direct example of this was in Annes detailed description of English grace gardening where nature was physically appropriated to create the picturesque. Here we can gather in the distinction between both concept of Goethes appropriation of nature and the concrete and physical appropriation b y English landscapers. The term appropriation denotes and connotes obstinacy on the part of the appropriator. The question of possession therefore becomes central to an imagination of Goethes appropriation of nature. Indeed, the landowners of England commissioned landscape architects to transform their grounds into models of the picturesque and this butt was demonstrative of an actual possession over the land. However, I find it tall(prenominal) to reduce Goethe to materialism and believe that he would take a more engaged and emotional approach to nature. It is obvious that Goethe never actually appropriated any of nature, especially when compared with the English landscapers, but Im not sure if this satisfies an understanding of his birth to nature... ...n cooperation. It is also interesting how this problem expands into Goethes Faust and Italian Journey and seems to be the land of a greater theme in his literature. The question of Goethes appropriation of nature could be wh ether he subscribes to a mechanical or magical school of thought in MacLennans terms. Either master to nature or companion, Goethes relationship with nature is dynamic and complex. Works Cited Brown, Jane K. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. http//worldroots.com/brigitte/goethe1.htm 19 Feb. 2005. Goethe, Johann. Italian Journey. London Penguin Classics, 1962. MacLennan, Bruce. Introduction to Goethe, Faust, and Science seminar. http//www.cs.utk.edu/mclennan/Classes/UH348/Intro-IIC5.html 19 Feb. 2005. Seamon, David. Goethe, Nature, and Phenomenology. http//www.arch.ksu.edu/seamon/book%20chapters/goethe_intro.htm 18 Feb. 2005.