https://wilderutopia.com/performance/literary/goethes-sorcerers-apprentice-power-over-wisdom/ * About * Environment * Performance * Traditions * Climate * EcoJustice Radio * Sustainability [ ] [Search] WilderUtopiaWilderUtopia Culture and Coexistence into the Great Unknown * About * Environment * Performance * Traditions * Climate * EcoJustice Radio * Sustainability * Urbanism * Wildlife * Politics * Cultural Landscape * International * SoCal350.org * Health * Support WU Fanasia, Walt Disney, animationFanasia, Walt Disney, animation Literary Goethe's "Sorcerer's Apprentice": Power Over Wisdom Written by The Outpost on August 13, 2014 ShareShareShare The Sorcerer's Apprentice, an ages-old fairy tale interpreted as a poem by Goethe, made famous today by Disney's Fantasia, illustrated the dangers of power over wisdom, and the risk of human creations getting out of control. The Sorcerer's Apprentice, GoetheThe Sorcerer's Apprentice, Goethe Goethe: "That old sorcerer has vanished. And for once has gone away! Spirits called by him, now banished, My commands shall soon obey." -- Image: Der Zauberlehrling, 44''x36'' oil on canvas, By Margot Serowy. The Sorcerer's Apprentice (Der Zauberlehrling) By Johann Wolfgang von Goethe That old sorcerer has vanished And for once has gone away! Spirits called by him, now banished, My commands shall soon obey. Every step and saying That he used, I know, And with sprites obeying My arts I will show. Flow, flow onward Stretches many Spare not any Water rushing, Ever streaming fully downward Toward the pool in current gushing. Come, old broomstick, you are needed, Take these rags and wrap them round you! Long my orders you have heeded, By my wishes now I've bound you. Have two legs and stand, And a head for you. Run, and in your hand Hold a bucket too. "It's a very old story, one that goes back almost 2,000 years, a legend about a sorcerer who had an apprentice...[who] started practicing some of the boss's best magic tricks before learning how to control them." -- Deems Taylor in "Fantasia" Flow, flow onward Stretches many, Spare not any Water rushing, Ever streaming fully downward Toward the pool in current gushing. See him, toward the shore he's racing There, he's at the stream already, Back like lightning he is chasing, Pouring water fast and steady. Once again he hastens! How the water spills, How the water basins Brimming full he fills! Stop now, hear me! Ample measure Of your treasure We have gotten! Ah, I see it, dear me, dear me. Master's word I have forgotten! Ah, the word with which the master Makes the broom a broom once more! Ah, he runs and fetches faster! Be a broomstick as before! Ever new the torrents That by him are fed, Ah, a hundred currents Pour upon my head! No, no longer Can I please him, I will seize him! That is spiteful! My misgivings grow the stronger. What a mien, his eyes how frightful! STORY: E.T.A. Hoffmann: The Soul's Adventure on New Year's Eve Fanasia, Walt Disney, animationFanasia, Walt Disney, animation Sorcerer's Apprentice, Disney's "Fantasia." Brood of hell, you're not a mortal! Shall the entire house go under? Over threshold over portal Streams of water rush and thunder. Broom accurst and mean, Who will have his will, Stick that you have been, Once again stand still! Can I never, Broom, appease you? I will seize you, Hold and whack you, And your ancient wood I'll sever, With a whetted axe I'll crack you. [yH5BAEAAAA] An excerpt from Disney's Fantasia, 1940. Music performed by students of the music conservatory of Tromso, Norway (2016). Composed and directed by Ole Lind Rorstad. The so-called "sorcerer's apprentice syndrome" can be found at the root of many fantastic stories in which humans could not curb their creations (i.e.robots) which eventually would turn against their makers. -- Damian Kalitan He returns, more water dragging! Now I'll throw myself upon you! Soon, 0 goblin, you'll be sagging. Crash! The sharp axe has undone you. What a good blow, truly! There, he's split, I see. Hope now rises newly, And my breathing's free. Woe betide me! Both halves scurry In a hurry, Rise like towers There beside me. Help me, help, eternal powers! Off they run, till wet and wetter Hall and steps immersed are Iying. What a flood that naught can fetter! Lord and master, hear me crying! - Ah, he comes excited. Sir, my need is sore. Spirits that I've cited My commands ignore. "To the lonely Corner, broom! Hear your doom. As a spirit When he wills, your master only Calls you, then 'tis time to hear it." -- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, 1779. Translation by Edwin Zeydel, 1955 Painting from Margot Serowy Fine Art. Updated 23 January 2021 Print Friendly, PDF & EmailPrint Friendly, PDF & Email ShareShareShare Related posts: Rembrandt van Rijn - baroque paintingRembrandt van Rijn - baroque paintingE.T.A. Hoffmann: The Soul's Adventure on New Year's Eve Viy 1967, Soviet Film, GogolViy 1967, Soviet Film, GogolGogol's Vision of Metaphysical Unraveling Amid the Dark Arts B. Traven, MexicoB. Traven, MexicoB. Traven: Underground Anarchist in the Mexican Jungle Alex MacLean, Alberta tar sandsAlex MacLean, Alberta tar sands Geo-Fauvism and Anthropocene: Altered Planet, Wild Literature Germany Johann Wolfgang von Goethe legends Mickey Mouse poetry Romanticism supernatural Walt Disney [yH5BAEAAAAALA][wilder-utopia] The Outpost WilderUtopia.com regularly posts articles, photo essays, features, and documentaries from around the web that illuminate the challenges to coexistence between city and wild, developed and developing, human and other. To reach out, write to jack (dot) eidt (at) wilderutopia (dot) com. Follow us on Twitter @WilderUtopia Previous Green Urbanism: Balancing Environmental Justice with Gentrification Pilsen, Illinois, gentrificationPilsen, Illinois, gentrification Next Orwell's Dystopian Vision Happening Now Pablo Picasso, Red PeriodPablo Picasso, Red Period 2 Comments 1. [yH5BAEAAA][1065d7fca] Barbara A. Smith August 28, 2014 at 10:50 pm * Reply Mary Shelley's Frankenstein is another example of this theme, Power Over Wisdom. Don'the we see it endlessly iterated on the news and in daily life? 2. Pingback: Mikhail Gorbachev: Failed Politician - Chronicles Leave a Comment Cancel Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked * [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] Message [ ] Name [ ]* Email Address [ ]* Website [ ] [ ]Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. [Post Comment] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] D[ ] This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed. 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