The First Walpurgis-Night
The story revolves around a group of students who gather on the eve of May Day to celebrate and indulge in debauchery. They are led by a charismatic figure known for his wit and cunning. The night's festivities are marked by drinking, singing, and revelry, but also by a sense of foreboding and unease. As the night wears on, the group becomes increasingly reckless and violent, their behavior mirroring the chaos and disorder of the natural world. The students' actions are contrasted with those of a group of peasants who are preparing for the upcoming harvest festival, highlighting the tension between the old, traditional ways and the new, more decadent values. The story builds towards a climax as the students' antics become more and more outrageous, culminating in a violent confrontation that leaves one of their number dead. The aftermath is marked by a sense of guilt and regret, as the surviving students are forced to confront the consequences of their actions. Throughout the narrative, Goethe explores themes of morality, decay, and the corrupting influence of power. The story is a commentary on the excesses of the Enlightenment era and the dangers of unchecked individualism.
By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe · First published 1782 · Genre: Drama, Poetry, Tragedy · 652 words
First lines
A DRUID.
SWEET smiles the May!
What this Textopian page supports
The First Walpurgis-Night is listed on Textopian as a play by Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe, dated 1782 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Play
- Author: Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe
- Date: 1782 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Drama, Poetry, Tragedy, Fantasy, Historical
- Length: 652 words
- Structure: 1 section, 71 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
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- Work identity for The First Walpurgis-Night by Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe
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Genres
- Drama — The work is structured as a dramatic piece with dialogue and characters, focusing on conflict and themes of faith.
- Poetry — The text employs lyrical language and rhythm, characteristic of poetic forms.
- Tragedy — The themes of conflict between paganism and Christianity, along with the impending doom, align with tragic elements.
- Fantasy — The presence of supernatural elements, such as druids and enchanted forms, places it within the fantasy genre.
Tags
German Literature · Romanticism · Poetry · Fairy Tale · Mythology · Walpurgis Night · Shakespearean Influence · Symbolism · Allegory · Nature Imagery · Mystery · Supernatural Elements