2006-12-05 09:16:44 · 13 answers · asked by John 1 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Philosophy
Why shouldn't you read Goethe?
2006-12-05 09:18:56 · answer #1 · answered by senorfrisk 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Because within the first six pages it will make you appreciate how little time you have on earth and make you realise that you should not be wasting it reading over-rated tripe like Goethe.
2006-12-05 23:49:06 · answer #2 · answered by Stubby Dayglo 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
everyone should read Goethe for Faust. Its one of the great all-time classics up there with Shakespeare - however if you were thinking about deals with the devil you might be happier with Marlowes 'Dr. Faustus' which was written in English around 1600 and is a play with the same themes. One of the great bits is when the Dr says to this devil he didnt think devils could leave hell - and the devil says, we cant, this IS hell, and you are in it.
2006-12-05 22:15:22 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because among other things Goethe said:
"There would be far less suffering amongst mankind, if men -- and God knows why they are so fashioned -- did not employ their imaginations so assiduously in recalling the memory of past sorrow, instead of bearing their present lot with equanimity."
He also said:
"As soon as you trust yourself, you will know how to live."
(That quote if from the greatest of his works, Faust)
And another:
"The day of fortune is like a harvest day, We must be busy when the corn is ripe."
Also:
"Fortune rarely accompanies anyone to the door."
Also:
"Everyone believes in his youth that the world really began with him, and that all merely exist for his sake."
Also:
"If you can imagine it, you can achieve it. If you can dream it, you can become it."
And one of my all time favourites:
"I call architecture frozen music."
True, some of the stuff he wrote sounds like a bad greeting card, but most of it is thought provoking...Of course the very best reason to read him is if he is assigned for course work.
2006-12-05 22:00:40 · answer #4 · answered by Karma Chimera 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Why should you read anything? Or speak to anyone? Or read a letter or an email from someone?
Because you need to expand your experience, enlarge your universe, experience not just the new information another can bring you, but their perpsective, their point of view, the very way they speak.
Goethe is a great writer of another culture and another time. The fact that his writing is still around and easily available means that over the years, many people have found it stimulating and interesting and important. Pretty good recommendation.
2006-12-05 09:20:19 · answer #5 · answered by Uncle John 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because Goethe is one of the true greats! (At least that's how I feel about his Faust.)
2006-12-05 18:30:55 · answer #6 · answered by Underground Man 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Why should Goethe write for you?
(well this is Philosophy...)
2006-12-05 09:20:06 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
you shouldn't. Goethe is bad for you.
2006-12-05 09:19:51 · answer #8 · answered by Jimbo 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is the best example of the bargin with the devil.
2006-12-05 09:21:16 · answer #9 · answered by Sophist 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't do anything because you should or conversely shouldn't, choose it or don't it is up to you
2006-12-08 11:12:35 · answer #10 · answered by steve w 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋