Reflection and Subjectivity in Modern Poetry: the Figure of Goethe for Hegel's Aesthetics

Abstract

The aim of this article is to partially
investigate Hegel’s understanding of Goethe in his philosophy of art. Two discussions serve as the basis for this investigation: firstly, the way in which Hegelian aesthetics understands the development of Goethe’s poetry and the place that the poet occupies for German culture and nation, especially with his mature works. Hegel attributes Goethe’s mature production a reflective nature, which prompts an investigation into the concept of reflection in Hegel’s philosophy of art and its meaning, which, especially for modern productions, is related to the ability of works to understand themselves as art, as well as its historical
development. With this discussion as basis, it is then possible to address, secondly, the way in which Hegel analyses Goethe’s collection of
songs entitled West-östliche Divan, which, based on its incorporation of elements from Hafiz’s Persian poetry, allows a deeper treatment of the subjectivity that characterizes modern poetry.