Goethe articulates his vision of Weltliteratur (1827)

Goethe articulated his vision of Weltliteratur in January 1827, predicting that world literature would replace national literature as the primary mode of literary creativity. This concept, described in his essays, involved the international circulation of works, including non-Western origins. The idea gained wide currency after Eckermann published conversations with Goethe, though the specific January 1827 statement was recorded in these conversations rather than a letter.

Episodes

Background and detail

Background. Goethe used the concept of world literature in several essays in the early nineteenth century to describe the international circulation and reception of literary works in Europe, including works of non-Western origin. He predicted that world literature would replace national literature as the major mode of literary creativity in the future. This vision was articulated in January 1827.

Recording. The concept achieved wide currency after Goethe's disciple Johann Peter Eckermann published a collection of conversations with Goethe in 1835. Eckermann is best known for his work Conversations with Goethe, the fruit of his association with Goethe during the last years of Goethe's life. The specific statement was made in January 1827.

Context. Goethe took up residence in Weimar, where he remained for the rest of his life. His comments and observations form the basis of several biographical works, notably Eckermann's Conversations. The idea for the Conversations was suggested to Eckermann in 1828 by a letter given to Goethe for his birthday.

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Sources

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