O, Say by Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe
The poem explores the theme of love and longing through a series of fragmented thoughts and emotions expressed by the speaker. It describes a sense of yearning for a distant beloved, with the speaker's feelings oscillating between joy and despair. The poem's structure and language contribute to its dreamlike quality, evoking a sense of disconnection from reality.
By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe · First published 1793 · Genre: Lyric Poetry, Romanticism, Elegy · 176 words
First lines
O, SAY, 'neath what celestial sign
The day doth lie, When ne'er again this heart of mine
Away will fly? And e'en though fled (what thought divine! )
Would near me lie? -- On the soft couch, on whose sweet shrine
What this Textopian page supports
O, Say is listed on Textopian as a poem by Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe, dated 1793 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe
- Date: 1793 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Lyric Poetry, Romanticism, Elegy, Symbolism, Philosophical Poetry
- Length: 176 words
- Structure: 1 section, 18 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for O, Say by Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering O, Say?
- How does this poem by Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Lyric Poetry first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- The Maiden Speaks by Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe
- These Tufted Branches Fair by Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe
- Swiss Song by Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe
- At Midnight Hour by Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe
- The Wanderers Night Song by Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe
- To The Distant One by Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe
Genres
- Lyric Poetry — The work primarily expresses personal emotions and thoughts, characteristic of lyric poetry.
- Romanticism — Themes of love, nature, and individual emotion align with the Romantic movement.
- Elegy — The reflective tone and themes of longing suggest elements of elegiac poetry.
- Symbolism — The use of imagery and metaphor indicates a symbolic approach to expressing deeper meanings.
Tags
Poetry · Romanticism · German Literature · 18th Century · Nationalism · Patriotism · Nostalgia · Sentimentality · Melancholy · Longing · Yearning · Nature Imagery