However, even more than this, he empowers them to express themselves as well. According to Heine, this is the moment of rejuvenation for German language, which is literally not only the rebirth of the language itself, but of the language as a means of expression, as a means of freedom of speech. Finally, this is the freedom of speech in the ancient biblical sense of the word, the word as more than a simple means of expression, the word as the ultimate conscience of the German people. This is why Luther's literary role is also essential in creating the German national identity and of sustaining it throughout the centuries to follow. By giving it the gluing substance it needed, Luther is able to present Germany to Europe as a unified nation, despite its actual political and geographical fragmentation. This is why the literary revolution also translates into a political revolution, with the language as the element of connection between the so many different small states on the German territory.

Certainly, the language and linguistic aspect is just one part of the literary revolution that Luther proposes. The other part comes from the numerous poems, which Heine mentions in his book and which "in battle and in trouble blossomed forth from his heart." His poems and songs are also a form of freedom of speech manifestation, but, even more than that, a form of rallying the Germans into the potential form of a nation, joint together by a common language.

It is worthy of mention the fact that Heine points out that "all expressions and idioms to be found in the Lutheran Bible are German. The writer must go on using them...." As such, Luther does not only invent literary German and German language in use as it is, but he also leaves a significantly rich legacy in terms of the German vocabulary and its use over the next centuries. He provides part of the literary vocabulary that the writers in the future must continue to use in their works.

Luther's literary revolution and language is also aimed at making philosophical points by emphasizing the need to break away...

In Heine's words, "its material is the conflict between the interests and views of the Reformation and the old order of things," which means that Luther's translation is actually a milestone in breaking with the philosophical past as well and in moving into a new phase of things.
Undoubtedly, Luther's religious revolution had enough force so as to propagate itself as a literary revolution as well. This was done in several ways, first of all by simply creating the use of German language as a mean of communication. In the 16th century, this is of utmost importance, as it subsequently gave way to the birth of the German nation in its respective European territory.

However, even more than that, Luther actually produced literature, with his poems and songs and was a generous source of inspiration for his own contemporaries, but also for the German poets to come. It is no wonder that Heine, one of the greatest German poets of all, recognizes Luther as one of his own important predecessors and advices all writers that his language and the words he has introduced are there to stay and need to be used, as rejuvenating as they are.

Heine's constant references throughout his book to the importance of Luther as a literary revolutionary show that the impact of his revolution by far left the simple sphere of politics or religion and laid the foundations of literary German.

Bibliography

1. Heine, Heinrich. The Prose of Heinrich Heine. Harvard University. 1887.

2. From. http://www.geocities.com/av1611kingjames/.Last retrieved on October 23, 2007

Heine, Heinrich. The Prose of Heinrich Heine. Harvard University. 1887. P.162.

Heine, Heinrich. The Prose of Heinrich Heine. Harvard University. 1887. P.163

From. http://www.geocities.com/av1611kingjames/.Last retrieved on October 23, 2007

Ibid. Page 165.