The Seven Sleepers
A group of seven young men are persecuted and imprisoned for their Christian faith during the reign of Emperor Decius. They are sealed in a cave where they remain asleep for centuries until they are discovered by a group of shepherds. The sleepers emerge from their slumber, confused and disoriented, but eventually adjust to their new surroundings.
By Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe · First published 1799 · Genre: Fantasy, Allegory, Mythology · 745 words
First lines
Six among the courtiers favour'd Fly before the Caesar's fury, Who would as a god be worshipp'd, Though in truth no god appearing, For a fly prevents him ever From enjoying food at table. Though with fans his servants scare it, They the fly can never banish. It torments him, stings, and troubles, And the festal board perplexes, Then returning like the herald Of the olden crafty Fly-God. "What! " -- the striplings say together -- "Shall a fly a god embarrass?
What this Textopian page supports
The Seven Sleepers is listed on Textopian as a poem by Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe, dated 1799 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: 1799 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Fantasy, Allegory, Mythology, Adventure, Religious
- Length: 745 words
- Structure: 1 section, 12 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Easy (6th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Seven Sleepers 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
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The Seven Sleepers?
- How does this poem by Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Fantasy first become important in the reading?
Similar titles
- The Other Wise Man by Henry Van Dyke
- The Return Of Yen Tchin King by Lafcadio Hearn
- Kabok The Prophet by Lord Dunsany
- A King Of Fire And His Steed by Jorge Luis Borges
- The Golden Fleece by Nathaniel Hawthorne
- The Worm And The Angel by Lord Dunsany
Genres
- Fantasy — The narrative involves supernatural elements, such as the protection by an angel and the miraculous slumber of the youths.
- Allegory — The story serves as a moral and philosophical reflection on faith, identity, and the passage of time.
- Mythology — The themes and characters draw from mythological traditions, particularly the concept of divine intervention and eternal youth.
- Adventure — The plot includes elements of adventure as the characters navigate their challenges and ultimately awaken to a new world.
Tags
Fable · Mythology · Christianity · Legend · Sleep · Dreams · Youth · Immortality · Faith · Perseverance · Patience · Good vs Evil