Sebastian Brandt is a thinker, poet, lawyer, public figure who lived in Renaissance Germany. His world famous work "The Ship of Fools" is the cornerstone of the satirical movement of German literature.
Biography
The exact date of birth of the great German satirist is unknown. Presumably, according to historical chronicles, Sebastian Brant was born in 1458. The child was born into the family of a wealthy burgher. The poet's hometown is Strasbourg.
The life of Brandt's contemporaries took place against the backdrop of the rule of Germany by the Habsburg dynasty. Emperors replaced one another. While the country was ruled by Frederick III, the young man successfully studied sciences at the old University of Basel. Philosophy, classical German literature and legal sciences became the subjects of education of Sebastian Brandt.
A full-fledged education, which was received by former schoolchildren at the universities of the Renaissance, necessarily included a deep knowledge of the "dead" languages - Latin and Ancient Greek. Sebastian mastered Latin so much that, while still a student, he began to express his ideas about philosophy and political views in poetic form.
The young scientist viewed society as an oecumene ruled by a supreme ruler. In this role, the poet saw the Austrian emperor. The scientist placed the spiritual basis of the management of the Christian ecumene on the Holy Church. Recognizing the possible reform of this structure of government, Brandt advocated the constant strengthening of the supreme power.
Work and career
The career of a young lawyer and poet was very successful. He took over as a university professor in 1484. The young poet turned out to be a brilliant and sophisticated lawyer in matters of canonical and civil law. Sebastian Brandt confirmed his position as a venerable jurist in 1489, defending the title of Doctor of Jurisprudence. Sebastian Brand was highly respected in his professional circle and took part in lawmaking.
Great work
The lawyer never left his poetry in oblivion. The most famous work, which came from the pen of Sebastian Brandt in 1494, the poem "Ship of Fools". The idea of the satirical work that made the author immortal was to defend the imperial power in the interests of the German people. The greed of fools ruins a strong and large state. This theme was consonant with the processes that took place in modern Brandt's Europe.
The satirical poem has become a canonical work of German literature. She gave impetus to the development of a full-fledged direction in European literature, which considered the role of fools in the development of society.
1493-1499 anti-imperial riots rocked the country. Sebastian Brandt by this time was a very influential adviser at the court of Emperor Maximilian the First.
Sebastian Brandt lived to see the Reformation era, criticized it. Old age and illness led to the death of the lawyer and poet in 1521.
