Goethe began writing his Egmont, as he notes at the end of the 19th and the beginning of the 20th book of 'Dichtung und Wahrheit', in the autumn of 1775, when unhappy from his unfortunate love for Lili, which tormented him so much, he sought, as always, solace in writing. At first, the drama progressed quickly.

However, it remained unfinished for a long time and only in December 1778, when Goethe was in Weimar, did he take it up again and in 1782 gave it a 'temporary ending'. But its final form was given to Egmont in Italy, in 1787, and the following year, on Easter 1788, it was printed as a book.

His Egmont leaves us with such a superhuman impression that it prevents us from blaming him for his flaws. He cannot do otherwise. His impetuous and irresistible vitality sweeps him along and leaves him no time to think, does not allow him to accept any laws above his own, and places him outside the bounds of bourgeois morality.

He moves through life like a night-walker, who passes unconsciously, with dizzying speed over the most dangerous cliffs. The only obligation he recognizes to himself is to live his exceptional life in all its breadth, and he has the firm belief that the hidden force that guides his steps will help him fulfill his purpose.