The Sorrows of Young Werther to go (Goethe in 9.5 minutes, English version)

Summary

The script narrates the tragic love story of young Werther, set in 18th-century Germany. Werther, a well-off but aimless young man, falls deeply in love with Lotte, a woman nearly engaged to the dull Albert. Despite their mutual affection, societal norms and Lotte's commitment to Albert lead to Werther's heartbreak. After a series of failed attempts to find purpose and happiness, Werther's despair culminates in a tragic ending, echoing the romantic and emotional turmoil of Goethe's 'The Sorrows of Young Werther'.

Takeaways

• 🎭 The story revolves around the protagonist, Young Werther, who is portrayed as a fashionable and somewhat aimless young man in 18th-century Germany.
• 💃 Werther becomes enamored with Lotte, a young woman with black eyes, who is nearly engaged to the dull Albert.
• 🏡 The setting is a small town similar to Weimar, where the author Goethe lived, and the nearby village of Wahlheim, which Werther finds charming.
• 🌳 Werther enjoys the simple life in Wahlheim, where he paints and contemplates nature, seeking solace from his recent heartbreak.
• 💔 At a ball, Werther and Lotte's chemistry is apparent, but their budding romance is complicated by Lotte's existing engagement to Albert.
• ⚡️ A thunderstorm during the ball serves as a metaphor for the tumultuous emotions and the 'right of spring' that Werther feels for Lotte.
• 🔫 A pivotal moment occurs when Werther playfully points a unloaded pistol at Albert, highlighting the tension and the themes of love and death.
• 📜 Werther's life takes a turn when he leaves for a Duke's court, where he experiences the stifling nature of aristocratic society and bureaucracy.
• 💔 After learning of Lotte's marriage to Albert, Werther's despair deepens, leading him to wander and eventually consider enlisting in a war.
• 🌿 Despite the changes in his life, Werther remains drawn to Lotte, visiting her frequently even after her marriage, which causes scandal and concern.
• ☠️ The novel concludes tragically with Werther's suicide, a decision made in the throes of unrequited love and a longing for the simplicity and beauty of nature.

Q & A

Who is the protagonist of the story described in the script?

The protagonist of the story is Young Werther, a character in the epistolary novel.

What is the setting of the story?

The story is set in a nameless little town in central Germany in the year 1771, which bears similarities to Weimar, where the author Goethe lived.

What is significant about the character Lotte?

Lotte is the eldest daughter of a widowed civil servant, who is nearly engaged to Albert and later becomes the love interest of Werther.

What is the occupation of Lotte's father?

Lotte's father is a civil servant.

Why does Werther decide to do an internship in the town?

Werther decides to do an internship in the town to sort out some inheritance matters for his mother and to start anew after breaking a young woman's heart.

What is special about the village of Wahlheim?

Wahlheim is a neighboring village where Werther enjoys spending time, sitting under a lime tree, enjoying affordable coffee, and observing the simple people.

How does Werther meet Lotte for the first time?

Werther meets Lotte for the first time when he goes to her house to pick her up for a ball, but she doesn't come out immediately, leading him to enter the house where he finds her cutting bread for her siblings.

What event causes a shift in Werther's relationship with Lotte?

The shift in Werther's relationship with Lotte occurs when they attend a ball together, dance, and spend the evening connecting, leading to the revelation that Lotte is nearly engaged to Albert.

What does Werther do after learning about Lotte's engagement to Albert?

After learning about Lotte's engagement to Albert, Werther becomes deeply affected and continues to spend time with Lotte, even playing with her siblings, despite the growing tension and the social implications of his actions.

What is the turning point for Werther that leads to his tragic end?

The turning point for Werther is when he learns that Lotte has married Albert without telling him, which leads to his decision to quit his job at the court and eventually leads to his tragic end.

How does Werther's story end?

Werther's story ends with his suicide. He dresses in the clothes he wore when he first met Lotte, borrows a pistol from Albert, and shoots himself on the 23rd of December, shortly before midnight.

Outlines

00:00

📜 Introduction to Young Werther's Life and Love

The script introduces the protagonist, Young Werther, who is depicted as a fashionable young man in a blue jacket and yellow trousers. He is accompanied by Charlotte, the eldest daughter of a widowed civil servant, who is nearly engaged to Albert, a dull man. The story is set in 1771 in a small town similar to Weimar, Germany, where Goethe himself lived. Werther, from a well-off family, is uncertain about his life's direction and decides to sort out an inheritance matter in the town. He also seeks a fresh start after breaking a young woman's heart. Werther enjoys the simple life in the neighboring village of Wahlheim, where he paints and spends time under a lime tree. His life takes an interesting turn when he meets Charlotte for the first time while waiting to pick her up for a ball. They connect at the ball, dancing and enjoying each other's company, until Charlotte's engagement to Albert is mentioned, casting a shadow over their burgeoning relationship.

05:00

🌧️ Werther's Struggles and Tragic End

The second paragraph delves into Werther's deepening love for Charlotte, despite her marriage to Albert. Werther's life takes a turn as he leaves the town to work at a Duke's court, where he faces the constraints of aristocratic society and the realization that his love for Charlotte is unattainable. After learning of Charlotte and Albert's marriage, Werther becomes despondent and resigns from his position. He returns to the town and continues to visit Charlotte, despite the gossip and Albert's disapproval. Werther's emotional state deteriorates as he witnesses the harsh realities of life around him. In a poignant moment, he shares a passionate kiss with Charlotte, which leads to her rejecting him. Consumed by despair, Werther dons the clothes he wore when they first met and, in a final act of desperation, takes his own life with a borrowed pistol. His death leaves a profound impact on those who knew him, and he is buried in a quiet grave, a tragic end to the story of Young Werther's sorrows.

Keywords

💡Epistolary novel

An epistolary novel is a literary form in which the story is told through letters written by one or more characters. This format is used to provide a first-person narrative and can offer insights into the characters' thoughts and feelings. In the video's script, the story of 'The Sorrows of Young Werther' is described as an epistolary novel, which is a key element in understanding the narrative structure and the intimate portrayal of the protagonist's emotions.

💡Protagonist

The protagonist is the main character of a story, around whom the narrative revolves. In the script, Young Werther is the protagonist, and the story unfolds from his perspective, detailing his experiences and emotions as he navigates love, social norms, and personal identity.

💡1771

This year marks the setting of the story, providing historical context. The script mentions that the events take place in 1771, which situates the narrative during the late Enlightenment period in Germany. This time period is significant for its emphasis on reason, individualism, and the questioning of traditional authority, all of which influence Werther's character and actions.

💡Inheritance matter

In the script, Werther needs to sort out an inheritance matter for his mother, which serves as a plot device that brings him to the town where the story unfolds. This matter reflects the importance of family and property in 18th-century society and sets the stage for Werther's interactions with the local community.

💡Valheim

Valheim is the neighboring village that Werther frequents, where he enjoys the simplicity of rural life and the natural beauty of the landscape. It represents an escape from the societal constraints of the town and a place where Werther can indulge in his artistic and romantic inclinations.

💡Charlotte (Lotte)

Charlotte, or Lotte as she is affectionately called, is a central character in the video's narrative. She is the object of Werther's affection and represents the ideal of domestic virtue and simplicity. Her character is pivotal to the love triangle that forms the core of the story, and her eventual marriage to Albert contributes to Werther's tragic fate.

💡Albert

Albert is Lotte's fiancé and later husband, representing the conventional and socially acceptable choice for a partner. His character contrasts with Werther's passionate and unconventional nature, highlighting the conflict between societal expectations and individual desires.

💡Thunderstorm

The thunderstorm that occurs during the ball is a dramatic device used to heighten the emotional tension between Werther and Lotte. It symbolizes the intensity of their feelings and the turmoil that their relationship is causing, both internally and in relation to societal norms.

💡Civil service

Werther's work in civil service at the Duke's court is indicative of his struggle to find a meaningful purpose in life. His dissatisfaction with the bureaucracy and the aristocratic society he encounters reflects the broader themes of personal fulfillment and the search for authenticity.

💡Suicide

Werther's ultimate act of suicide is a central element of the story, reflecting his despair over unrequited love and his inability to reconcile his romantic ideals with the reality of his situation. It serves as a tragic culmination of the novel's exploration of love, loss, and the human condition.

💡Nature

Nature is a recurring motif in the script, symbolizing Werther's yearning for simplicity, beauty, and a connection to the world beyond societal constraints. His frequent retreats to the countryside and his final resting place in a natural setting underscore the importance of nature as a source of solace and inspiration.

Highlights

Introduction of the protagonist, Young Werther, and his attire that sets the tone for the story.

Description of Charlotte (Lotte), the eldest daughter of a widowed civil servant, and her appearance.

Lotte's near engagement to the exceedingly boring Albert, setting up a potential love triangle.

The historical setting of the year 1771 and its significance to the story's context.

Werther's decision to do an internship and his lack of life orientation, reflecting the social norms of the 18th century.

Werther's relocation to a small town and his inheritance matter, adding depth to his character's background.

Werther's broken heart and his escape to a new town, hinting at his emotional vulnerability.

Werther's fondness for the neighboring Village of Wahlheim and its simple people, showcasing his appreciation for simplicity.

The first encounter between Werther and Lotte at the ball, marking the beginning of their relationship.

The revelation of Lotte's engagement to Albert and the ensuing thunderstorm, symbolizing the turmoil in Werther's heart.

Werther's deep infatuation with Lotte, despite her engagement, and his interactions with her siblings.

Albert's return and the tension it creates between Werther, Lotte, and Albert, highlighting the love triangle.

Werther's contemplation on life and death, and his conversation with Albert about the limits of human nature.

Werther's departure from the town and his experiences working at a Duke's court, revealing his disillusionment with society.

Werther's return to the town after learning of Lotte's marriage, showing his persistent love for her.

The tragic encounter with the 'madman' who once loved Lotte, foreshadowing Werther's own fate.

Werther's final visit to Lotte, their emotional moment, and her request for him not to return until Christmas.

Werther's internal struggle and his ultimate decision to end his life, culminating in the novel's tragic conclusion.

Transcripts

[Music]

Gooden talk ladies and gentlemen we are

looking at Yan wolgang F the Soros of

young Vera today it's all about this

young man Blue Jacket yellow trousers

top boots and yellow whisk it this is

yellow right I don't want any

discussions later on Vera is the hero or

at least the protagonist of this

epistolary novel accompanied by

Charlotte the eldest daughter of a

widowed civil servant she's got black

eyes and is generally called lter lter

is very nearly engaged to be married to

Albert who is so exceedingly boring as

not to even have locks and far more

boring clothes than

Vera the year is

1771 and young Master Vera is new to a

nameless little town that bears many

similarities to Veta in central Germany

where ger himself lived at the time just

as the author WETA stems from a

respectable and Rich family and doesn't

really have to worry a lot about earning

his living as a matter of fact he

doesn't know exactly what to do with his

life which is why he decides to do an

internship hard to believe nowadays that

there were these people without any

orientation in the 18th century as a

matter of fact he needs to sort out some

inheritance matter for his mother in the

town and furthermore he's just broken

the heart of a young woman so what

better to do but start aesh in a new

little town even better than the little

town however he likes the neighboring

Village of valheim where he likes to

spend time sit under a lime tree where

he gets affordable coffee and there are

so wonderfully simple people around

running around Barefoot like in Africa

unfortunately tourism and photography

haven't been invented yet so he sits

there and paints them amuses himself

with the Simplicity and reads hire you

know the kind of thing you do on a lazy

summer afternoon and if one turns around

in valheim there's a fantastic Panorama

nature where he goes for walks

frequently at a certain point however

the entertainment value of the

surrounding nature is used up and the

high owners among the local youth are

organizing a bowl which verter intends

to visit on the way to the Bowl he has

promised to pick up a young woman so he

sits outside in the coach honks but she

doesn't come out so he goes in which is

when for the first time he meets lter

surrounded by her siblings for whom she

is cutting a piece of bread each for

dinner when he sees her standing there

cutting bread Veta is Smitten by this

wonderful young woman she seems to like

him too in a way

so they get talking they make their way

to the ball and they connect they dance

they spend the evening together and even

the couples around them start to notice

how well they are getting on with each

other until at some point a friend of

lotus comes up to her and goes remember

Albert playfully then leaves oh you

promised that dance to me and ver goes

uh so who's Albert and she replies

that's young man with whom I am as good

as engaged to be married and as if the

author wanted to make a point a

thunderstorm suddenly appears there's

thunder and lightning they walk over to

the window and look out and the name

ktoo is dropped they look at each other

and find their Kindred

Spirits uh good evening my name is kto l

and Vera are referring to my old the

right of spring at this point which is

about the exhilarating experience of a

thunderstorm in Spring a drop of water

sitting on the brim of a bucket the

question whether or not Beatles have a

soul and if our house is going to be

struck by lightning or not thank you for

your attention no thank you Mr

kto anyway Vera is completely in love

with Lotter so much so that he's hanging

around at her place all the time and

even playing with her eight younger

siblings which is quite a feet to do

everybody on water she finds that funny

and enjoys his visits she enjoys talking

to him and going for walks together in

the

countryside at some point however Albert

comes back and L goes ah Albert Albert

Albert and ver Albert has come and I

will go I'm an adult after all I'll just

have to pull myself together uh

Albert yes so what are you doing in life

oh thank you I'm fine I'm staying in

town now I finally got a fantastic job

ah yes uhhuh okay tell me is this your

pistol Vera playfully puts it to his

Temple and Albert Goes cut this crap

Vera it's okay it's not charged I don't

find this funny and I don't understand

why anybody could be as stupid as to

kill themselves and where drops the

pistol slowly and says stupid this is

not about stupidity Human Nature has its

limits I can endure happiness suffering

pain to a certain degree but that's it

how can you be stupid if you finish life

then but Albert Goes yes no yes no I'm

going and L goes too while Vala only

says he'd be going but he doesn't go and

one evening the three of them go for a

walk in the garden together chatting

away all the time and um L goes I wonder

how it's going to be in the afterlife am

I going to meet my mother then and Vera

is so enthralled by her amings that he

drops to his knees takes her hand and

goes LTE we will meet again meet here

and Beyond then he walks away and she

goes uh where's he gone all of a sudden

how would I know but good riddens we are

going home alone for a change and she

goes oo so now the second part of the

novel follows finally Vera leaves the

little town which his mother had wished

all the time and he works at some Duke's

court for a civil servant ah Vera here

you go this is the little essay you've

written I've corrected it would you

please do it again with less adjectives

oh I've got an appointment I need to go

and Veta goes bloody civil service I'm

going mad fortunately however he makes

the acquaintance of a very nice young

lady fand Fon Bay an aristocrat with

almost the same qualities as Lon also he

gets to know a certain count with whom

he spends a lot of time so he's visiting

this count oopsie some evening when the

count goes ver I can't be begin to tell

you how much I enjoy your company really

it's just that a couple of aristocratic

friends of mine are coming over to watch

football just now so being a commoner

you need to go now please sorry C again

yeah I know this is so backward please

do not let this get to you I find the

common man like yourself fantastic

everybody should have one so off he

walks and foran F B has another look

around but then walks off quickly too

and Vera is completely put out and

flabbergasted especially as he's just

learned that LTE and Albert have got

married without telling him

so he quits his job at the court and

wanders around aimlessly uh I'm going to

war now but a friend warns him that Wars

are not what they used to be and rather

uncomfortable these days so he then

decides not to go to war but go back to

the little town where lter and Albert

are living now and visits lter

frequently again and again even though

there she's married now so that people

are starting to talk and Albert starts

to find this inappropriate then V alone

again he goes into nature but even in

valheim nothing is as as it once was one

of the children of the simple people has

died another guy killed himself and one

evening when he's on his way back home

from valheim he meets an absolute

stranger Crossing his path he's staring

at the ground all the time and ver uh

what are you doing here I'm searching

flowers for my precies tomorrow is the

1st of December you're hardly going to

find any flowers right now I need

flowers for my prees it's all right and

he walks off it turns out that this

madman used to be a secretary of Lot's

father father who fell in love with lter

and then lost his marbles because of

that infatuation and now look what has

become of him shortly before Christmas

Vera is visiting L again as is his habit

as television hasn't been invented yet

he's reading poetry to her namely his

own translation of the forge AG galic

epic oan which was very hip at the time

the time of my fading is near the blast

that shall scatter my leaves tomorrow

shall the traveler come he that saw me

in my beauty shall come his eyes will

search the field but they will not find

me and he's really upset and he's she's

upset and goes please stop this I'm all

wet with tears already uh he's

completely bananas and by accident they

kiss and she runs away locks the door

after her and orders him not to come

back to her until

Christmas Bela is down and out now he

doesn't really know what to do he goes

into nature again then he goes into town

and pays his debts then he returns To

Nature finally he goes home to his room

this is his room with his desk where he

writes all the letters it's an

epistolary novel after all he is this

collection of ream books by the way from

which he chooses Lings Emilia galotti

opens it then dresses in the old clothes

he wore when he met Lotter for the first

time blue jacket yellow trousers yellow

whisk it and top boots then he borrows a

pistol from Albert puts it to his temple

on the 23rd of December shortly before

midnight and pulls the

trigger on the next morning his man's

servant finds him good morning ah when

he's still living a little he gives

severe traumas to Albert who comes to

see him ah and LTE even though she

doesn't come to see him ah as well as

all of L's siblings and then he dies

around midday they bury him quickly

actually in the graveyard because lot's

father puts in a good word for him

normally this wouldn't have been

possible for the suicide there is

however no priest present at least he's

in nature now where he always wanted to

be and this dear congregation was the

end of the Sorrows of young

verta