This German Romanticist poet is known for his rich symbolism and frequent references to Greek mythology. His poetry spans across a variety of themes, from the beauty of nature to Christianity and faith. Although Hölderlin was raised as a Protestant, he later rejected the strict discipline of organized religion, instead opting for his own, idealized version of faith.
Hölderlin was an idealist in nature, which can be seen in his poetry, where he describes the beauty of nature, often connecting it to an idea of the divine. For example, the following description:
"With ripening yellow pears
And full of wild roses
The land hangs in the lake."
Hölderlin often depicts nature as being a teacher or parental figure, crediting many of his lessons learned as a boy to his time spent in nature. As such, he adopts an idealistic conception of education, opposing traditional education as being remote and uninteresting. This opposition of tradition in favor of individualism is a key aspect of Hölderlin's life; for example, he was in love with a woman called Luise Nast but ended the relationship due to his reluctance to marry. This lack of conventionalism can be seen in his poetry, where he often rejected the stringencies of his contemporaries, instead opting for unique and personal verses about his life, faith, and relationships.
