“
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 Drangderives 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
2477 words
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 03 October 2024.]