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Which writers began their careers in the Sturm und Drang movement?
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German literature
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, oil painting by Joseph Karl Stieler, 1828; in the Neue Pinakothek, Munich. Goethe is considered the greatest German literary figure of the modern era.
The Sturm und Drang ("Storm and Stress") movement was a late 18th-century German literary period that prioritized individual emotion and nature over Enlightenment rationalism. Several prominent writers began their careers as members of this movement:12
- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe: A central figure whose novel The Sorrows of Young Werther epitomized the movement's spirit.12
- Friedrich Schiller: Joined the movement as a latecomer with his play The Robbers (1781).12
- Friedrich Maximilian Klinger: His play provided the movement with its name.12
- Jakob Michael Reinhold Lenz: A major dramatist of the period.2
- Johann Anton Leisewitz: Known for his contributions to historical and social drama.2
- Heinrich Leopold Wagner: A notable dramatist who focused on social criticism.2
- Friedrich MĂŒller: Also known as "Maler MĂŒller," he was a significant writer within the group.2
These authors utilized drama and the autobiographical novel to challenge social conventions, often featuring revolutionary protagonists who struggled against the political and social constraints of their time.2