Heinrich von Kleist(1777-1811)
- Writer
Heinrich von Kleist was born on the 18th of October, 1777 in
Frankfurt/Oder (Germany) as the son of a priest. His father died when
Heinrich was 11 so he had to earn some money early. He managed to go to
the High School until 15, but was forced then to join the Prussian army
in their war in the west. He climbed up the ranks until he was
lieutenant, but quit then in 1799 and studied philosophy, physics,
mathematics and political sciences in the town where he was born. After
stays at Weimar (where Kleist met Wieland, Goethe and Schiller, other
famous writers of his time), he finally entered the Prussian state as a
secretary. His writings were no success at all, political life was not
satisfying, and his girlfriend was ill, going to die- after all, he
decided to go with her. They both met their death together, using a gun
on the 21st of November, 1811 (Kleist was, as you can see, only 34). It
is rather difficult to describe Kleist's role in German literature. He
wrote immortal pieces of literature, such as "Prinz Friedrich von
Homburg". But especially this stage play, for which he is best known,
was often used as a nationalist piece of propaganda. Kleist does not
belong to any literary epoch at all, but stays between the Romantik,
the Klassik and the upcoming Realismus. Often underrated, Kleist was a
walker between the lines. Seen in this context, his death is nothing
but consequent.
