The Sorrows of a Young Werther, Essay Example

“I sometimes cannot understand how she can love another, how she dares love another, when I love nothing in this world so completely, so devotedly, as I love her, when I know only her, and have no other possession.” (Goethe 65) Werther was an eighteenth century character struggling with devastating agony of denied love. This romantic work of art captures the spontaneity and sincerity of a man’s affection for another. This novel had an overwhelming appeal because it allowed the readers to associate with the heartbreak and complete hopelessness that can come with love, or loss of love. It addresses the specific theme that can be better interpreted as self-centered infatuation. Werther was about Werther, his actions, his letters, his desires, and even his death. The romanticism of the Sorrows of a Young Werther was not initially expressed in a great literary form, simply personal letters to a friend. Goethe comprised these letters with an explanation and turned it into one the great literary novels of its time.

This story consisted of a series of letters that young Werther wrote to his friend Wilhelm. The one-sided conversation was narrated by Goethe to allow the readers a better understanding. This novel influences the broader historical Romantic Movement, aiding to it overwhelming popularity. The emotional rollercoaster Werther was controlled by Charlotte, and even at times her fiancé Albert. Charlotte was much younger than him, even though her actions would reflect the opposite. If this romance was in today’s society, it could easily be classified as obsessive and borderline crazy. Romance is difficult, especially when two individuals do not share the same feelings and or desires, however the pain that is associated with such loss has not changed with the times. Specifically this novel can be viewed as self-obsessed desires and the heart-break of a denied love.

Werther never seemed to look past his infatuation for a woman who is not available to him. The immersion of romanticism during this time allowed Werthers actions to be respected instead of questions. His writing was from his heart, not attempted philosophical language from his head. There was nothing else that was relevant to him beside Charlotte. As a literary artist, he never managed to finish even one piece. Perhaps it was because he came from money, so had no real need to earn his own. As an upscale member of society, he never had to worry about money or human value of any individual who was not up to class. The reference to the servant boy who was not warranted a name was a specific example of this. They were irrelevant individuals that were not worth him wasting his time on. Werther almost reflected himself as a mastermind who deserved to be addressed in such a manner by society. He was someone who felt he deserved to be treated monumentally, even though he was kind of insignificant. He failed to complete anything of significance during his existence. He was a temperamental individual who tortured others with his roller coasters of bad moods. Even Charlotte was a victim of his uncontrollable disorders, suffering as a result on many occasions.

Werther’s love, perhaps infatuation for Charlotte, portrayed the self-absorbed primacy of this individual. The mysterious character of Charlotte is the fascination of Werther throughout the majority of the novel. A high school crush perhaps would be an adequate explanation of Werther’s desires; however in his writings it is so much more. He really believed that the sun rose and set on Charlotte. He had a powerful infatuation that requires the world to stop if these feelings are altered or denied. Charlotte was much younger than him, and she seemed to have a much higher maturity than Werther.

True love can be visualized by a give and take of human connection between two people who reciprocate mutual feelings. None of those characteristics exists here. Moonlit walks and poetry never appear to penetrate the surface barrier of friendship. Werther longed for more, and as time went on his ability to remain platonic vanished. He pushed for more and more, providing Charlotte no option but to request he not visit so much. Albert was a very understanding and patient man, allowing Werther to spend time with his wife even though his intents were clearly transparent. Perhaps he was secure with his relationship with Charlotte, or he was too scared to address the situation, but Albert’s understanding was not a typical reaction.

Engaged to Albert, Charlotte never chooses to walk away from that steady quiet stability to pursue more with Werther. She may have some superficial feelings, but it is never portrayed in a capacity that could lead the reader to think it is mutual love. Werther was dangerously close to Charlotte, aiding to his agony. Soon he becomes obsessed with lack of physical contact adding to the difficulty of their friendship. His madness showed more and more as the thoughts of death were offset by thoughts of sex. He even is so desolate that he wishes for Albert’s death as well. Werther knew he, Charlotte, or Albert, had to die in order for there to be some type of relief from the pain. His emotions were so drastic reflecting his obsession which is the nature of a true Romanticist as well.

Charlotte was unable to just end it once she realized Wether’s feelings had grown stronger. Once Werther crossed the line of propriety, she had no option but to diminish the relationship. She pushed back; deny the frequencies of their encounters. Charlotte was trusting of Werther and took a lot of his madness. The portrait of Charlotte in this novel did not clarify the relationship, if she had feelings for Werther as well. Perhaps she tolerated him due to friendship, loyalty, pity, the attention, or secret feelings that she refused to allow to surface. His love is torturous to her at times, and he does not seem to consider the effects it is having on her.

The imminent torture of rejection coincides with the self-absorbed manner by which Werther was accustom to. His thoughts were constantly twisted around the desire to end his own life, to commit suicide. The very desire that consumed his being, Charlotte, was no more. He could not see past the pain of the present or the reality that she was married to another. The agony, the disparity, Werther saw no other option. His letters reflected a constant change of feelings, and the circumstances that aided to it. This was his escape from the torment, a way to communicate the forbidden love. Every stroke of the pen that Werther put down, was heart emotions that he could not escape.

“They are loaded—the clock strikes twelve. I say amen. Charlotte, Charlotte! farewell, farewell!” (Goethe 105) He left a single sentence for a final good-bye to the love of his life. The events that took place were clearly laid out in the December 20^th letter. The explicit writings throughout the years were often detailed, rambling on and on about his changing feelings and torment that would not leave him. This great literary work revolved around one character, Charlotte. The unstable thoughts put down on paper from a man who could not manage to move on. As a result, Werther shot himself in the forehead, and his attempts to die immediately failed. Charlotte was distraught at Werther’s death, but it is not clear if it was because of the hidden feelings or loss of a friend.

The anguish of young Werther was clear. Virtually every letter he wrote mentioned his heart, reflecting the nature of a true Romanticist as well. Werther was there to feel, and that is exactly what he did. Despite the societal class, money, and high self-stature, it was not enough to save him from himself. The desires were far too great for a love that was not reciprocated and the longer it went on, the worse it became. Werther clearly had alternate issues that aided in this tragic love story, but during that time period that was not a relevant factor. The struggle and the context aided to its popularity and allowed the readers to associate with the battle. It is no wonder why these letters turned into one the great literary novels of its time.

Reference

Goethe, Jjohann Wolfgang von. The Sorrows of Young Werther. New York: Random House, Inc., 1971.