Main / Authors

Ernst Toller - Biography

Biography of a Toller - Life, Creativity and Contribution to Literature and Theater

Ernst is a name associated with intellectual skill, artistic genius, and deep reflection on the fate of man and society. His life and work were full of events and ideas that shaped literature and theater of the 20th century. In this biography, we will delve into the history of his life, explore his works and appreciate the impact he has had on culture and art.

Ernst was born on December 1, 1893 in the city of Summerda, located in the former East Prussia (today Poland). His family was educated and cultural, and Ernst was inspired by their respect for art and literature. His mother was even a pianist, which later influenced his interest in music.

After leaving school, Ernst entered the law faculty of the University in Heidelberg, but his real passion lay in literature and art. He began publishing poetry and articles in various literary publications, and this was the beginning of his literary career.

Ernst Toller is considered one of the founders of expressionism in German literature and theater. His dramas such as "Masses and Man" (1920) and "Hamlet" (1921) were noted for their vivid expressiveness and deep analysis of the human soul in social and political crises. In these works, Toller addressed themes of struggle, individualism, and protest.

His plays often evoked counterversions and sharp debates in society, and his biased approach to art made him an important figure in the post-World War I German cultural scene.