The West-Eastern Divan of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

<p>The ageing Goethe finds new inspiration and youthfulness through the love of a young woman and the example of the great Persian poet Hafez.</p><p>Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749-1832) a towering figure in German culture was remarkably prolific in many literary genres. But much of his work is scarcely known in the English-speaking world. With this new translation Robert Martin tries to remedy this situation with regard to one of Goethe's most adventurous volumes of verse the <em>West–Eastern Divan</em>. Here Goethe playfully pretends to be a Middle-Eastern poet but draws on themes vital to all of humanity - love creativity wisdom richness of life.</p>