Types of Weltschmerz in German Poetry

"Types of Weltschmerz in German Poetry" by Wilhelm Alfred Braun is a study of Weltschmerz as it appears in German poetry, especially through the works of important poets. The book tries to explain, categorize, and understand different parts of Weltschmerz, comparing it to basic pessimism. It looks closely at three German poets—Hölderlin, Lenau, and Heine—who each show different sides of this sad feeling and help readers understand its importance in literature. The book starts by explaining Weltschmerz as an emotional reaction to the pain and problems of life. Braun makes it clear that Weltschmerz is different from pessimism because it is more poetic and emotional, connected to deep feelings and expressing personal and widespread sadness. The author plans to study these poets by looking closely at their lives and writings, showing how each poet represents different kinds of Weltschmerz—from Hölderlin's focus on ideals to Heine's use of humor—and how they reflect the psychological and social situations of their eras.