Erläuterungen und Gedanken zu Goethes Planetentanz

Abstract This article addresses a little known poem by Goethe, Planetentanz (Dance of the Planets) and analyses it’s content referring to mythology, astronomy and dramaturgy. Goethe’s planets are defined by the character of their namesake gods and goddesses as well as by the physical characters of the rocky or gaseous heavenly bodies known today with their characteristics explored by Goethe’s contemporaries. It has been shown that Goethe corresponded with some of the most influential astronomers of his time.