Barthold Heinrich Brockes facts for kids
Barthold Heinrich Brockes (born September 22, 1680 – died January 16, 1747) was an important German poet. He is remembered for his unique way of writing about nature and for creating words for famous musical works.
Early Life and Career
Brockes was born in Hamburg, Germany. He went to school at the Gelehrtenschule des Johanneums. Later, he studied law at the University of Halle.
After finishing his studies, Brockes traveled a lot. He visited countries like Italy, France, and the Netherlands. In 1704, he returned to Hamburg and settled there.
In 1720, he became a member of the Hamburg senate. This meant he held important positions in the city government. From 1735 to 1741, he worked as an Amtmann, which was a local official or bailiff, in a place called Ritzebüttel. He passed away in Hamburg.
His Famous Writings
Brockes wrote many poems. They were published in nine books called Irdisches Vergnügen in Gott (which means "Earthly Pleasure in God"). These books came out between 1721 and 1748.
He also translated several important works from other languages. He translated La Strage degli innocenti by Giambattista Marino in 1715. He also translated Alexander Pope's Essay on Man in 1740. In 1745, he translated James Thomson's famous poem, The Seasons.
The Brockes Passion
One of his most famous works was a libretto called Der für die Sünden der Welt gemarterte und sterbende Jesus. This means "Jesus, who suffered and died for the sins of the world." It is also known as the Brockes Passion.
A libretto is the text or words used in a musical work, like an oratorio. This particular work was one of the first passion oratorios. It was a free, poetic story about the suffering of Jesus.
The Brockes Passion became very popular. Many famous composers used his words and set them to music. These composers included Reinhard Keiser (in 1712), Georg Philipp Telemann (in 1716), and George Frideric Handel (in 1716). Other composers like Johann Mattheson, Johann Friedrich Fasch, Gottfried Heinrich Stölzel, and Johann Caspar Bachofen also created music for it.
A New Kind of Poetry
Brockes was one of the first German poets to change the way poetry was written. Before him, many German poems were very fancy and over-the-top. Brockes started using clear and simple language instead.
He also helped German poets notice a new style of nature poetry that came from England. His poems, even if they sometimes seem a bit rough, show a deep respect for nature. They also connect natural events with religious ideas. This new way of thinking about nature in poetry was new to Germany. It helped prepare the way for other important poets like Klopstock.
