Poem by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Composition by Franz Schubert
“Erlkönig” is a poem that was originally written by the famous German author Goethe in 1782, but arguably more popular is the musical composition by Franz Schubert, which takes Goethe’s poem and puts it to music.
The story follows a young boy and his father. The young child, simply referred to as “der Kind”, has fallen ill, and his father (der Vater) as they ride on horseback through the forest. The child is frightened, as he believes they are being chased by the Erlkönig, though the father says there is nothing following them. The Erlkönig attempts to coerce the child with promises of games and beautiful flowers. The father cannot ride fast enough, and the Erlkönig reaches out to grasp the child; they eventually reach their destination, but the father discovers his son is dead.
Goethe’s early work clearly defined the Sturm und Drang period. Translating to “storm and stress,” was a German artistic movement preceding Romanticism that focused on the realities of life, extreme emotional states, and tragedies. This is clear in “Erlkönig” with the death of the young child.
One of the biggest German aspects of the poem is the fact that it takes place in a forest. Germany has a long history with the forest, as it was heavily featured in early fairytales, studied during early environmentalism, and focused on by German scholars today. In traditional German fairytales, the forest was associated with danger and mystery. Often, antagonists of the stories would live in the forest, such as the witch in Hansel and Gretel. This is true in “Erlkönig”, as the Erlkönig lives and “attacks” in the forest. Even the father, who cannot see the Erlkönig, describes the forest as ominous.
The ending of the poem can be interpreted through a climate activism standpoint. The forest and the Erlkönig represent climate change, and how the rapid deterioration of the planet is catching up with humanity. If the harm to the planet becomes irreversible, we may not have a future generation: represented by the death of the child. The poem ends with the word “dead,” showing how there is no action after the death of the climate and the future generations.
Though written hundreds of years ago, “Erlkönig” can teach readers about the history of the forest and perhaps creates a sense of urgency to pursue climate justice. Also, it is easier for people to understand complex topics through emotions, rather than a scientific paper.
References:
Boyle, Nicholas. “Johann Wolfgang von Goethe”. Encyclopedia Britannica, 18 Mar. 2023, https://www.britannica.com/biography/Johann-Wolfgang-von-Goethe. Accessed 17 April 2023.
Britannica, the Editors of Encyclopaedia. “The Erl-King”. Encyclopedia Britannica, 11 Feb. 2015, https://www.britannica.com/topic/The-Erl-King. Accessed 17 April 2023.
Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia. “Sturm und Drang”. Encyclopedia Britannica, 30 Mar. 2020, https://www.britannica.com/event/Sturm-und-Drang. Accessed 17 April 2023.
von Goethe, Johann Wolfgang. “Erlkönig.” 1782. Oxford Lieder, https://www.oxfordlieder.co.uk/song/1420. Accessed 17 April 2023.