[The "Werther effect". Historical origin and background of a phenomenon].

OBJECTIVE: Ever so often one can read about the "Werther effect" in psychiatric literature. Until now this term has not lost its imaginative power, and still has its impact as well as being the subject of controversial discussion.

METHOD: In order to clarify the "Werther effect", it seemed first of all necessary to illuminate the real biographical background of Goethe's "The sorrows of young Werther" and the extraordinarily eventful history of its reception.

RESULTS: This essay also cites comments on this novel made by various personalities and authorities in an attempt to provide some hints on the real impact that Goethe's novel had at its time and showing the quarrels it brought about.

CONCLUSIONS: Here the author comes to the conclusion that considering the ideologies prevailing at that time (late enlightenment and sentimentalism) the dispute about Goethe's work only aims at hiding the actual discussion about the people's right of self-determination.