“Sturm und Drang” [Storm and Stress] is the name of a fairly brief (approximately 1767-1786) but highly productive period in German literature situated between the literary manifestations of the Enlightenment and Weimar Classicism. This period is also called Geniezeit [the era of “universal”, “original” or “powerful” genius]. The established English translation “Storm and Stress” is not entirely felicitous: “passion and energy” or “energy and rebellion” would be more appropriate. Sturm und Drang derives its name from a drama by Friedrich Maximilian Klinger (1752-1831) originally titled Wirrwarr [Chaos] and re-named Sturm und Drang (1776) on the suggestion of Christoph Kaufmann (1753-1795), a propagator of the cult of genius and minor writer of the time.
It has long been held that Sturm und Drang was an early phase of German Romanticism but this is incorrect as...
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Citation: Knapp, Gerhard P.. "Sturm und Drang [Storm and Stress]". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 13 February 2003 [https://www.litencyc.com/php/stopics.php?rec=true&UID=1266, accessed 05 December 2025.]
