How did English and French literature influence German writers during the early Enlightenment?

During the early Enlightenment, German writers looked to English and French literature to modernize their own traditions and overcome perceived provinciality.1

French Influence
In the early 18th century, German courts and the educated class adopted French civilization and language to align with progressive European standards. Between 1724 and 1740, the first literary reforms were heavily based on French 17th-century Classicism. Johann Christoph Gottsched, a key figure in this movement, introduced tragedies and comedies modeled after French Classicism to reform the German theater, specifically aiming to eliminate the "vulgarity" of popular stage traditions.12

English Influence
English literature became increasingly influential as a counterpoint to French models. Gottsched patterned his moral weeklies—which were essential for fostering middle-class public opinion—after English publications like The Spectator and The Tatler. Later, critics such as Johann Jakob Bodmer and Johann Jakob Breitinger challenged Gottsched’s rigid, rule-governed poetics by championing the imaginative work of John Milton. This shift toward English models intensified in the latter half of the 18th century, with writers like Friedrich Gottlieb Klopstock drawing inspiration from Milton’s epics to revitalize German poetry.23