The Great Masterpieces of World Literature

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe · Stendhal · Jules Verne · Gustave Flaubert · Lewis Carroll · Charles Dickens · Plato · Honoré de Balzac · Mark Twain · Harriet Beecher Stowe · Walt Whitman · Oscar Wilde · Robert Louis Stevenson · James Fenimore Cooper · Edgar Allan Poe · William Shakespeare · George MacDonald · Bram Stoker · Charlotte Brontë · Anne Brontë · Emily Brontë · Henry David Thoreau · Jack London · Henry James · Louisa May Alcott · Victor Hugo · Arthur Conan Doyle · Frances Hodgson Burnett · Joseph Conrad · Jane Austen · Herman Melville · George Eliot · Laurence Sterne · Thomas Hardy · Jonathan Swift · Edith Wharton · Daniel Defoe · Henry Fielding · Kenneth Grahame · Marcel Proust · Willa Cather · Nathaniel Hawthorne · Homer · Gaston Leroux · William Makepeace Thackeray · Kate Chopin · Apuleius · John Milton · Frederick Douglass · John Keats · James Joyce · Ann Ward Radcliffe · Kahlil Gibran · H. G. Wells · W. B. Yeats · J. M. Barrie · G. K. Chesterton · T. S. Eliot · L. M. Montgomery · C. S. Lewis · D. H. Lawrence · E. M. Forster · H. P. Lovecraft · Marcus Aurelius · Friedrich Nietzsche · Lewis Wallace · Sir Walter Scott · George Bernard Shaw · Mary Shelley · P. B. Shelley · Elizabeth von Arnim · Herman Hesse · George Weedon Grossmith · Willkie Collins

Nov 2022 · DigiCat

About this ebook

In 'The Great Masterpieces of World Literature,' Johann Wolfgang von Goethe undertakes the monumental task of curating a compendium of the most critical works that have shaped the literary canon. From the dramatic complexities of Shakespeare's 'Hamlet' to the existential musings in Camus' 'The Stranger,' Goethe's extensive assemblage covers a vast cultural geography and chronological span, cradling the evolution of literary art through its most pivotal phases. The anthology not just offers a collection of texts; it provides a window into the aesthetic and thematic sensibilities that have propelled narrative and poetic art forms. Goethe's discerning eye for influential literary contributions and the coherent presentation of these works alongside each other allows readers to appraise the shifting contours of literary style and context across history. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe is an iconic figure in the pantheon of great authors, having penned seminal works such as 'Faust' and 'The Sorrows of Young Werther.' A scholar of immense intellect and creative prowess, Goethe's insights into human nature and his philosophical contemplations are reflected in this endeavor to curate a collection of world literature. His profound understanding of literary movements and his ability to transcend cultural barriers position Goethe as a suitable guide for this expedition through literary masterpieces. The convergence of his literary taste and expertise informs the selection within the anthology, offering readers an expertly tailored journey through the landscape of global literature. 'The Great Masterpieces of World Literature' is an essential volume for any literary connoisseur or scholar intent on navigating the sea of narrative and poetic excellence that has characterized human civilization. This collection is not just a testament to the written word's enduring power, but also functions as an educational resource and a source of endless inspiration. As each page summons readers to relive the sensations stirred by these timeless literary creations, Goethe's anthology emerges as an indispensable companion for the voyages into the depths of the human psyche and the heights of artistic achievement.

About the author

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749–1832) remains one of the towering figures in Western literature. An illustrious German playwright, poet, novelist, and statesman, his contributions encompass a vast array of literary works that resonate with readers for their depth and breadth of human experience. Goethe's magnum opus, 'Faust,' is heralded as one of the greatest achievements of German literature, epitomizing the Romantic movement's spirit and Goethe's own literary prowess. His novel 'The Sorrows of Young Werther' became a sensation and played a pivotal role in the Sturm und Drang literary movement, influencing the Romantic Age in literature profoundly. Goethe's extensive travel throughout Europe also shaped his understanding of culture and influenced works like 'Italian Journey.' His mastery over verse is evident in 'West-Eastern Divan,' a collection of lyrical poems that reflects his engagement with Persian poetry. Goethe's literary style combines a classical reverence for form and structure with an emotive and introspective examination of themes, including nature, love, morality, and the human condition. His works have been widely translated, cementing his legacy as a universal author whose insights continue to stir intellectual discourse. Although 'The Great Masterpieces of World Literature' is not among the well-known titles directly attributed to Goethe, his oeuvre constitutes an integral part of world literature's cherished canon.