Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Question 1

Where and when was Johann Wolfgang von Goethe born?

Answer 1

Frankfurt am Main, 1749

Question 2

What was the title of Goethe’s early literary success?

Answer 2

The Sorrows of Young Werther

Question 3

Which of Goethe’s works is considered his magnum opus?

Answer 3

Faust

Question 4

Which philosophical and artistic movement did Goethe contribute to?

Answer 4

Sturm und Drang

Question 5

What scientific theory did Goethe challenge in his Theory of Colors?

Answer 5

Newton’s theory of optics

Question 6

In which city did Goethe spend most of his later life?

Answer 6

Weimar

Question 7

Which novel made Goethe an overnight celebrity?

Answer 7

The Sorrows of Young Werther

Question 8

How did The Sorrows of Young Werther impact society upon its release?

Answer 8

It sparked ‘Werther Fever’ and caused a wave of suicides.

Question 9

What is Goethe’s two-part dramatic poem that explores the balance of good and evil?

Answer 9

Faust

Question 10

What concept did Goethe coin related to global literature?

Answer 10

Weltliteratur (world literature)

Question 11

What was the major controversy surrounding The Sorrows of Young Werther?

Answer 11

It was criticized for glorifying suicide.

Question 12

Which bone did Goethe help identify in the field of anatomy?

Answer 12

The human premaxilla bone

Question 13

What field outside of literature was Goethe involved in, contributing to optics and color theory?

Answer 13

Natural sciences

Question 14

Goethe’s literary work spanned which two important periods of history?

Answer 14

The Enlightenment and Romanticism

Question 15

What was Goethe’s key political or administrative role in Weimar?

Answer 15

He managed the court theater and held various government roles.

Question 16

What humorous fact about Goethe’s personal tastes is often mentioned?

Answer 16

He had a sweet tooth and loved marzipan.

Question 17

Goethe’s scientific work in botany included contributions to what specific biological discovery?

Answer 17

The identification of the human premaxilla bone

Question 18

How did Goethe’s work influence psychology?

Answer 18

It influenced Sigmund Freud, especially in exploring human nature.

Question 19

Goethe’s Faust took how many years to complete?

Answer 19

Over 60 years

Question 20

What was Goethe’s relationship to the French Revolution?

Answer 20

He was politically conservative and did not support it.

Question 21

Which fellow German literary figure was a close friend of Goethe’s?

Answer 21

Friedrich Schiller

Question 22

What institution was founded in Goethe’s honor to promote German culture and language?

Answer 22

Goethe Institutes

Question 23

How is Goethe often compared in terms of literary impact?

Answer 23

He is compared to Shakespeare in the English-speaking world.

Question 24

Which artistic movement did The Sorrows of Young Werther help to inspire?

Answer 24

Romanticism

Question 25

Which two broad themes are explored in Goethe’s works?

Answer 25

The balance between rationalism and emotion, intellect and nature

Question 26

Goethe’s contributions to color theory later influenced which group of thinkers?

Answer 26

Philosophers of aesthetics and artists

Question 27

Why is Goethe considered a bridge between the Enlightenment and Romanticism?

Answer 27

His works reflect tension between rationalism and emotion.

Question 28

Which famous literary work by Goethe deals with human nature and the quest for meaning?

Answer 28

Faust

Question 29

What effect did Goethe’s The Sorrows of Young Werther have on European culture?

Answer 29

It caused a phenomenon known as ‘Werther Fever’.

Question 30

How are Goethe’s contributions to science viewed today?

Answer 30

Though his color theory is not widely accepted, it influenced later thinkers.