Friedrich Gottlieb Klopstock (1724–1803) was the first modern German poet. His lyrical poetry anticipated the Sturm und Drang movement and marked a break with the rationalism that had dominated German literature in the early 18th century.
Born in Quedlinburg, Klopstock was inspired by Virgil and John Milton, and began his religious magnum opus, Der Messias (‘The Messiah,’) as a student at Jena (1745,) finishing it in 1773. A poem of 20,000 lines organized in 20 cantos, it deals with the Passion and 40 days after the Resurrection. It describes events on earth and introduces many angels and devils—even the Trinity appears—giving a deeper meaning to every event and action.
Klopstock’s other poetry included two volumes of Geistliche Lieder (1758, 1769,) in addition to religious drama, some of it in verse. Klopstock influenced other poets, especially Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Rainer Maria Rilke, and Friedrich Hölderlin.
Klopstock settled in Hamburg in 1771 with a sinecure appointment, and pensions from Frederick V of Denmark (from 1751) and the Margrave of Baden. He dedicated the last years of his life to philology and wrote several plays and works on language, and a series of lyrical odes, collected in Oden (1771, ‘Odes.’)
After becoming an honorary French citizen in 1792, Klopstock initially welcomed the French Revolution, but became disappointed and shocked by its aftermath.
More: Wikipedia • READ: Works by Friedrich Gottlieb Klopstock
The tones of human voices are mightier than strings or brass to move the soul.
—Friedrich Gottlieb Klopstock
He who thinks for himself, and rarely imitates, is a free man.
—Friedrich Gottlieb Klopstock
Topics: Originality
He who has no opinion of his own, but depends upon the opinion and taste of others, is a slave.
—Friedrich Gottlieb Klopstock
Topics: Opinion, Confidence, Self-reliance
The God who created these fair heavens with the same facility as yon green sapling; he who hath bestowed on man a life of toil, of transient joys and fleeting pains, that he might not forget the higher worth of his enduring soul, and might feel that immortality waited for him beyond the grave;—He, he is one only God!
—Friedrich Gottlieb Klopstock
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