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Although it is virtually impossible to determine the exact intended meaning behind Johann Wolfgang von Goethe words in Selige Sehnsucht, published in 1806, attempting to interpret them provides an avenue for critical thinking as well as opens up a vast number of possibilities for interpretation, a number only as finite as the number of readers and their dispositions as they read this poem. Like many classic poems, Goethe's Selige Sehnsucht is rich with symbolism and imagery, both of which contribute to the central metaphor and meaning of the poem. The structure of the poem is not drastically different from many others. In terms of mechanics, Selige Sehnsucht is a poem containing five stanzas, each of which has four verses.
The syllabification per line is eight syllables and the rhyming scheme is 'ABAB', where the first and third lines as well as the second and fourth lines of each stanza rhyme. The content of the poem is related in separate phases. The first stanza acts as an introduction. The poem begins: 'Said es niemann nur den Wise/ Weil die Menge gleich verh het'. This gives the impression that the following observation is not of conventional thinking, since the masses, especially and most likely the elders and respected members of society of the contemporary time will mock it. He goes on to say that he praises the creature that yearns for fiery death, the moth.
In the second, third and fourth stanzas, Goethe describes the moths instinctive yearning to procreate, as well as its uncontrollable attraction to light especially to the flame of the candle. Whether the moth knows it or not, it is captivated by light and heat, and has a need to procreate, both of which are out of its control. This captivation, however attractive it may seem will eventually overcome it and will lead it to its death. In der Liebesnchte Khlung/ Die dich zeugma, wo du zeugtest/ berfllt dich fremde Flung. These verses can be interpreted as follows: As long as the moth has existed and exists this innate desire for it to 'beget' will exist, along with its attraction to the flame. Not only will that desire exist during this particular moth's life, but also it existed before the moth, namely, its ancestors, and it will exist in its descendants.
Finally, the moth perishes in the light, as it is fated to do Und zuletzt des Lichts begierig/ Bist du Schmetterling verbrannt. The final stanza, which is juxtaposed with the first and subsequent stanzas, seems to be addressed directly to the moth rather than being an observation. This stanza commands much attention especially the second verse: 'Dieses: Stirb und were' which can be interpreted in many ways. Because of the apparent change in tone of this stanza, it seems to stand apart from the rest of the poem.
In contrast to the somewhat joyous recounting of the moths desire for the light, the final stanza is somewhat darker than the others, in that it implies that those who do not die and become, or die into becoming will not lead such and enlightened existence on the otherwise gloomy and pessimistic earth. Based on the repetition of certain images in Selige Sehnsucht, one must assert that these images have some sort of symbolism in the poem. Some images that are constantly alluded to are the light and fire in contrast to darkness and shadows. There is also constant reference to the concept of union throughout the poem.
The moth, of course, is another symbol in itself. In many poems, the presence of light often signifies living or eternal life, and it also often has religious connotations. Fire on the other hand, can also be associated with life, or it can be interpreted as a representation of Hell. The metaphor of the moths death in the candle light has been used as a way of depicting foolish self-destruction by becoming entranced by something attractive but deadly. The fact that the moth is drawn into the light and dies could be interpreted in a religious sense as death and resurrection into new being, and in its death Goethe commands it Stirb und were!
The moth dies and perhaps becomes something better in an afterlife. Given that Goethe was an agnostic, however, these religious interpretations of fire and light would seem the least likely. Instead, perhaps light and fire refer to fulfillment, enlightenment, or achievement or a goal, or accomplishment of a task. In the case of the moth in Selige Sehnsucht, enlightenment the achievement of its goal is first procreation and then death. The moths conviction and passion for the flame, regardless of the consequences when it gets too close show a tragic pessimism about life in general. The fire can also be symbolic of a new beginning with death as the precondition to the new beginning.
One could even take an existentialist point of view and suggest that the moth made its own decision having exercised its free will choosing to accept the consequences of its attraction to the flame. In contrast to the light, darkness and shadows could represent everything else in life that the moth does not have a desire or an instinct for, that being, all that exists on the earth. If this theory can be accepted as truth, the only things that the moth strives for, instinctively, are procreation and death. It strives for procreation because it is instinct and death because of its inevitability. The moths life could be viewed as a metaphor for human life, where the masses perhaps do not understand such a great desire to aspire or achieve; it is only the wisest of people who understand this instinctive desire to determine their own destiny. The masses can never hope to understand why they exist, they can only choose to follow a goal with conviction and passion and accept what ever comes of their decision, keeping in mind the ultimate and inevitable end, which is death.
When Goethe commands the moth Stirb und were! and then gives the alternative Und so lang du dieses hast, /... / Bist du nur ein true Gast / Auf der drunken Erde, it is as if he commands the reader to die, to leave behind all he think he knows, and in this death become what he was not when he thought he was alive. If the reader does not have a desire or instinct to attempt and to achieve, then in death, perhaps he may have achieve the goal that he did not know he had. If in life one does not attempt to achieve, the alternative is to lead a sad existence in a dark and gloomy world. Perhaps this is a reference to death being the ultimate achievement. There are clearly a multitude of ways to interpret the imagery and symbols in Selige Sehnsucht.
Based on the subjective interpretation of this work it appears as if the meaning behind the poem leads to an existentialist philosophy, a school of thought that encompassed the futility of life and movement that was being widely examined during the time of publication of this poem.
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