Iphigenia in Tauris

1794. The German poet, dramatist, novelist, translator, scientist and musician, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe was a master of world literature, the author of The Sorrows of Young Werther, Wilhelm Meister and Faust. Goethe has rewritten Euripides's Iphigenia in Tauris into a rather amazing celebration of how one pure woman could heal the insanity and evils of the pagan past, symbolized by the dysfunctional House of Atreus as well as by King Thoas, whose notion of hospitality was to sacrifice passing strangers to his god. See other titles by this author available from Kessinger Publishing.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe was a German writer, poet, playwright, and philosopher, widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in Western literature. Born on August 28, 1749, in Frankfurt, Germany, he is best known for his works such as Faust, The Sorcerer's Apprentice, and Erlkönig. Goethe's works span a wide range of genres, including drama, poetry, and philosophy, and he was a central figure in the Sturm und Drang literary movement. His writing not only revolutionized German literature but also had a profound impact on political and philosophical thought. Throughout his career, Goethe was influenced by figures such as Friedrich Schiller and William Shakespeare, and his ideas on individuality and the human condition helped shape European intellectual history. Goethe was married to Christiane Vulpius from 1806 until her death in 1816. He spent much of his life in Weimar, Germany, where he died on March 22, 1832, at the age of 82. His legacy continues to influence writers, artists, and thinkers across the globe. His exploration of human nature and existential questions remains relevant in modern cultural and intellectual discussions.