Martin Opitz: Carpe diem
The German poet Martin Opitz wrote the poem "Carpe diem" in 1624, which both as typical representative of his works in particular as well as baroque poetry in general can be.
Life and meaning of Martin Opitz
- Martin Opitz von Boberfeld (ennobled 1627) was a German poet, scholar and diplomat in the Baroque era.
- He was born on December 23rd, 1597 as the son of a butcher in Bunzlau in Silesia.
- Throughout his life he strove for a change in German poetry. His main goal was to establish his mother tongue as an artificial language, similar to Italian and French.
- To achieve this, he wrote several textbooks (e.g. B. "Book of the German Poetery", 1624), in which he a. a. strict forms, a purity of language and the study of antiquities literature demanded. He also made a name for himself as a translator of classic scripts.
- During his short life, Martin Opitz was in whole Europe On the way.
- His studies took him to Heidelberg in 1619. From there he fled from enemy troops to Holland and Jutland.
- After his return home, he took on diplomatic tasks and in this role traveled to Vienna, Berlin, Dresden, Warsaw, Prague and Paris.
- On August 20, 1639 he died of the plague in Danzig.
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Origin and meaning of "Carpe diem"
- The saying "Carpe diem" comes from an ode by the Roman poet Horace (65 - 8 BC). Chr.).
- Literally translated it means "pick the day!". In everyday use, however, "Carpe diem" is more likely to be interpreted as "Enjoy the day!" or "Seize the day!".
- "Carpe diem" stands for an attitude towards life. Don't waste the time you have. Wishes and goals should be put into practice right away, instead of postponing them again and again until tomorrow. Enjoy and use every day of your life, because you never know how long you have time for it.
- In addition to "Vanitas" ("nothingness", "everything earthly is transient") and "Memento mori" ("Remember that you have to die!"), "Carpe diem" is one of the central motifs of baroque poetry.
- In the early past, the film "Der Club der Toten Dichter" (1989) helped the phrase gain new fame. There, "Carpe diem" served as the motto of the members of the eponymous association.
"Carpe diem" by Martin Opitz
- Martin Opitz wrote his poem "Carpe diem" in 1624.
- It is a typical work of baroque poetry. In addition to the eponymous "Carpe diem", "Vanitas" and "Memento mori" are also taken up in terms of content.
- The lyric self complains in the first two stanzas of wasting its days studying old masters instead of enjoying their lives. At the same time it comes to the realization that time on earth is running out incessantly and that all the knowledge learned is of no use in death.
- Therefore, in the last three stanzas, the lyrical self decides to use its money from now on to celebrate and indulge, to savor every hour and not allow any more thoughts.
- Formally, the poem consists of five stanzas with eight verses each. An embracing rhyme scheme appears throughout the work (abba), which is supported by a four-part trochee.
- This strictness in form, the renouncement of foreign words, the combination of word and understanding and the reference to ancient masters make "Carpe diem" an exemplary work by Martin Opitz.
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