300- Heinrich Heine (1797-1856)

                                                                                                                                                                 Địa chỉ: www.quangduc.com

Heine studied at Bonn, Berlin and Göttingen universities, but his calling was for literature rather than law, although he did eventually take a degree. His first published his writings at the age of 34.

Heine was a German poet of Jewish origin, born in Düsseldorf. His father a tradesman, during the French occupation found new prospects opening up for Jews, but when his business failed he sent Heinrich to Hamburg where his Uncle Salomon a rich banker tried to encourage him without success into a commercial career. 1825.

Heine, like his teacher G.W.F. Hegel, Berlin university was passionate about Napoleon, so much so that he converted to Protestantism to make it possible for a civil service career which at that time was closed to Jews. He also changed his first name Harry to the Germanic Heinrich, although he never held a position in government service.

Heine made his debut with GEDICHTE (POEMS) in 1821. It included one of his most famous poems 'Zwei Grenadiere', (two infantry) this reflected his passion for Napoleon. He had an infatuation with his cousins Amalie and Therese, which was said to be a somewhat one-sided thing; they inspired a comprehensive collection of verse BUCH DER LIEDER (Book of songs) which were some of his loveliest lyrics. His early works show the influence of folk poetry, but the mocking tone of them sets them aside from the romantic mainstream.  His four volumes of REISEBILDER (TRAVEL PICTURES)1826-31 were the product of his summer vacations, a combination of an autobiography, literary debate and social criticism.

In 1827 Heine visited England, but the custom of behaviour and middle-class man materialism horrified him and he returned disillusioned to Germany. In the third volume of Reisebilder (Die Bäder von Lucca) Travel pictures (the baths of Lucca), Heine ridiculed the poet August von Platen, who had attacked him on his Jewish origins. This damaged Heine's reputation, and in 1831 he went to Paris as a journalist, to write newspaper articles about the development of democracy and capitalism in France. His reports on French cultural and political affairs, his travel books and works on German literature and philosophy, his critical views annoyed the German censors, and he had no chance of becoming a prophet in his own country.  At the end of 1835 the Federal German big wigs tried to enforce a nationwide ban on all his works. he soon found himself surrounded by police spies, and his voluntary exile became a forced one.  



(Huệ Hương ST)