The Oxford English Dictionary defines the word leader as “One who leads”; yet characterizing Frederick the Great, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, and Otto von Bismarck as men who led would not do justice to their lives. They are notable historical figures because they exceeded the requirements of their respective titles. Both Frederick and Bismarck shaped the Prussian and German governments in a dogmatic style and maintained their personal and incontrovertible identities. This, however, did not mean that their sense of self was in harmony with their political agenda. Goethe differs from them in the sense that he was a socio-cultural and not a political leader. However, his successes in the progression of German literature influenced society between the reigns of Frederick and Bismarck, culturally shaping the nation and making his work as important as that of the two political leaders. Through their relentless visions and interpretations of what the Germanic lands should emerge as, revolution and eventual unification spread among the states, establishing Germany as a prevailing world power. Thanks to their sharp intellect, Germany was born, but, more importantly, they outlined the characteristic that personifies a German. Frederick, Goethe and Bismarck approached their roles in a static and rigid way that often opposed their innovative and artistic freedom, formulating a German nationality based on their narcissistic individualities and not on distinct German states. Frederick's enlightened visions clashed with his militaristic agenda; Goethe's literary works denied his political views; and Bismarck's Junker identity disavowed his imperious style of government. The tension that all three figures had to face in grips...... middle of paper ......the whole part of German society did not please Goethe, who evidently expressed his contrary opinion. Yet these views did not extend to him. Goethe eventually became a government official under the Grand Duke of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach and was ennobled in 1782 (HIST.146 2/5/14). Social order and class were issues that ultimately led to World War I, and Goethe was right to oppose them. His inability to resist conformity, like Frederick the Great, shows his contrasting personality. Goethe played a crucial and essential role in German unification, and he remained on that path by criticizing the royal court. His acceptance of the nobility demonstrated that he was not immune to the ideas of the state and that German nationality depended on his opportunistic views. Like Frederick, what Goethe defined as German were his personal ideas and actions, not the opinions of the people.