Goethe and Charlotte von Stein (Ѻ) to whom he wrote more than 1,500 letters and notes, and who formed the main character to "Charlotte" of Elective Affinities. |
See also: Goethe on the soulIn early 1770s, before Goethe met Charlotte he, supposedly, was shown a portrait of her, which he responded:
“It would be a magnificent spectacle to see how the world is reflected in this soul. She sees the world as it is, and yet through the medium of love. And mildness is the predominant impression.”— Goethe (c.1774), on photo of Charlotte von Stein [6]
“We first know we exist when we recognize ourselves in others.”— Goethe (c.1778), On Charlotte von Stein [6]
“My soul has grown fast to yours ... I am inseparable from you, an ... neither height nor depth can keep me from you. I wish there were some sort of vow or sacrament that would make me yours, visibly or legally. And my period of probation was long enough to think it all over.”— Goethe (1781), “Letter to Charlotte von Stein”, Mar 12 [6]
“My letters will have shown you how lovely I am. I don't dine at Court, I see few people, and take my walks alone, and at every beautiful spot I wish you were there.
You in your household must feel as I often do in my affairs; we often don't notice objects simply because we don't choose to look at them, but things acquire an interest as soon as we see clearly the way they are related to each other. For we always like to join in, and the good man takes pleasure in arranging, putting in order and furthering the right and its peaceful rule. Adieu, you whom I love a thousand times.”
Sections of the Charlotte von Stein mansion in Thuringia. [2] |
Top row: Side profiles of Charlotte von Stein; Bottom row: Anna Amalia, and her family, whom Charlotte was a "lady in waiting" for from 1758 to 1807. |