Appreciation of Poetry in Ode to Joy

Ode to Joy was written by Schiller in the summer of 1785 in Leipzig, when his plays Robber, Conspiracy and Love were all great successes. Engels called the robber "a young man who praised the chivalrous man who declared war on the whole society", while "Conspiracy and Love" was "the first German drama with political inclination". However, Schiller was persecuted by Duke Eugen and fled abroad, penniless, heavily in debt and living a wandering life. When Schiller was cornered, four young people in Leipzig admired Schiller's talent and wrote to invite him to Leipzig, and their travel expenses were borne by them. Schiller set off from Mannheim immediately after receiving the letter, and went to Leipzig for 8 days regardless of the hardships and tiredness of the journey. He was warmly welcomed by four strange friends and received meticulous hospitality. "Ode to Joy" was written by Schiller with great gratitude after he felt the warmth of this timely help. In this way, we can praise the joy of the world and preach the ideal of universal love.