Martin Opitz
Martin Opitz was a notable German poet and literary figure born in 1597 in Bunzlau, Germany. He initially studied law at the University of Heidelberg but shifted his focus to literature and teaching after a brief period in Holland, where he sought refuge from conflict in the Pfalz. Opitz is best known for his influential work "Buch von der Deutschen Poeterey," which greatly impacted German poetry and established him as a significant literary figure of his time. He earned the title "Fürst und Phönix der Poeten," reflecting his esteemed status in the literary community. In addition to his own poetry, Opitz translated important classical works into German, including Seneca’s "Trojanerinnen" and Sophocles' "Antigone." His career included diplomatic roles under the Burggrafen von Dohna, and he was ennobled by Emperor Ferdinand II. Later recognized as the "Poet King," Opitz spent his final years in Danzig, Poland, where he continued his literary pursuits until his death from the plague in 1639 at the age of 42.
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Subject Terms
Martin Opitz
Poet
- Born: December 23, 1597
- Birthplace: Bunzlau, Germany
- Died: August 20, 1639
- Place of death: Danzig, Poland (now Gdańsk)
Biography
Martin Opitz was born in Bunzlau, Germany, in 1597. He began studying law in 1618 in Frankfurt, but switched to the University of Heidelberg in 1619. Unfortunately, in 1620, Opitz was forced to flee to Holland for a year to avoid the attack on the Pfalz. In 1622, he became a teacher at the Gymnasium von Wei�enburg/Siebenbürgen.
His most important and celebrated literary work was Buch von der Deutschen Poeterey. His poetry influenced several of his contemporaries. He was given the title Fürst und Phönix der Poeten, or the prince and pheonix of poets. Opitz also translated several works into German, including Seneca’s Trojanerinnen in 1625 and Antigone von Sophokles in 1636.
In 1626, Opitz entered into the services of the Burggrafen von Dohna as a secretary and director of the secret Kanzlei. He was often sent on diplomatic missions for Dohna. In 1627, he was ennobled by emperor Ferdinand II. Two years later, he was crowned the “Poet King.”
Dohna died in 1633. Subsequently, Opitz moved to Danzig, Poland (now Gdańsk). In 1636, King Ladislaus IV of Poland made Optiz a historical writer for Danzig. He remained there until he died of the plague in 1639, at the age of forty-two.