Herzlichen Glückwunsch zum Geburtstag, J.W.!

Today would have been Johann Wolfgang von Goethe's 263rd birthday.

I used to be a tremendous fan of his life -- not so much of his work, which took longer to appreciate -- but his life. Someone back in the 19th century said Goethe's life was his greatest work of art! I wonder what that would mean in the modern era. Except for celebrities who are famous for being famous, most people are known for what they've created or otherwise achieved. The way they conduct their lives is another matter.
Perhaps the ethical structure of everyday life is not what it used to be.
In the next few months, in between finishing up my novel (which is very much about ethical structures) and trying to earn a bit of money, I hope to return to Goethe's work. Just rereading the beginning of The Sorrows of Young Werther while heading to Weimar was an eye opener (see above photo of Weimar's commercialization of its most famous son).
I invite you to check back to see my progress -- in this and other ongoing German lessons.