Sielanka – dualizm – katastrofa O związku tytułowego bohatera Cierpień młodego Wertera J. W. Goethego z naturą
Idyll – dualism – catastrophe. On the relationship between the protagonist of J. W. Goethe’s The Sufferings of Young Werther and nature

Summary/Abstract: This article explores a reading of J. W. Goethe’s novel The Sufferings of Young Wertherin terms of the protagonist’s relationship with nature. The chronological analysisof Werther’s nature writings incorporated in his letters to Wilhelm addresses hisexperiences, attitudes, feelings and reactions in relation to the natural world, theirinfluence on his views, as well as the relationship between Werther’s individualismand social position and his ecological awareness. Werther sees nature either as anaesthetic object and a source of authenticity and freedom, or as a destructive forcethat threatens man. From this perspective, it appears that the source of the protagonist’spredicament and tragic end is his inability to apprehend the full scope ofnature, the overwhelming effect of a dualistic view that makes him perceive natureas either unilaterally benevolent and auspicious or, radically destructive and causingdecay.

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