Here's a breakdown of the key elements:
Core Ideas:
* Rebellion against societal norms and expectations: Sturm und Drang writers challenged traditional values, authority, and social conventions. They emphasized individual freedom, emotion, and intuition over reason and logic.
* Emphasis on passion and emotion: They celebrated the power of emotions like love, anger, and despair. Characters were often driven by strong feelings and their actions were dictated by these emotions.
* Focus on the individual: The movement prioritized individual experience and subjective truth, often exploring the inner turmoil and conflicts of characters.
* Nature as a source of inspiration: Nature played a significant role, representing both the raw power of the universe and the beauty and freedom that could be found outside societal constraints.
Key Figures:
* Johann Wolfgang von Goethe: A central figure of the movement, his play "The Sorrows of Young Werther" is considered a quintessential Sturm und Drang work.
* Friedrich Schiller: Another prominent figure, his plays like "The Robbers" and "Don Carlos" explored themes of rebellion and individual freedom.
* Johann Gottfried Herder: A philosopher and literary critic, Herder contributed significantly to the development of the movement's ideas.
Influence:
* Romanticism: Sturm und Drang paved the way for the Romantic movement in Europe, which shared its emphasis on emotion, individuality, and the power of nature.
* German Literature: The movement had a profound impact on German literature and continues to inspire writers today.
* Modern Literature: Sturm und Drang's themes of rebellion, individuality, and emotional intensity continue to resonate with modern writers and readers.
In essence, Sturm und Drang was a literary revolution that challenged the status quo and paved the way for new ways of thinking and writing. It is remembered for its raw emotionality, its focus on individual freedom, and its powerful impact on the course of European literature.