2.1 Schiller's House

We then went to Schiller's house. The owner of the house had a significant influence on the publication of 'Faust', as it would not have been completed without him. There was a room in front of the house with general information about Schiller. The house itself is very large and labyrinthine, which we consider quite extraordinary for that time. In each room, through the historical furnishings, one could get a very good idea of how Schiller lived back then. We studied 'Kabale und Liebe' in tenth grade and knew that he was a successful representative of the Sturm und Drang movement, and Faust was written in this period as well. The emphasis on passion and the heart is illustrated in Faust through the relationship between Gretchen and Heinrich. The actions of the individual are also characteristic of Sturm und Drang. This is picked up in Faust through Gretchen's actions, as she kills her child out of fear and self-preservation. The goal of the literary epoch is the grand deed, which occurs multiple times in Faust. Gretchen chooses death over life, Faust makes a pact with the devil, and the child is murdered. Faust rises above tradition, which is expressed through his and Gretchen's relationship. The readers are emotionally influenced by these events and empathize with the protagonists. It was an exciting experience to get an insight into how the poets of that time lived.

The house is definitely worth a visit.

See you soon.