Every student was given a drawing of a famous person and a thumbnail biography of that person, and was asked to write a short text describing him/her (using precise adjectives from Blass/Friederich) but not telling us the name of the personage. We then placed all the pictures on a big table and tried to guess which figure was being referred to as each text was read aloud! Can you guess the correct identity??

To discover the inside of a person, observe his eyes The penetrating look displays the essence: a strong will combined with power Spots of mercilessness, even malice hurting my eyes The mouth small, nearly tiny But authorized to judge without scruple His corpulence, in skin fat, white, dull I imagine his swollen feet in sandals of influence And his puffy hands carelessly pushing an underling to the floor Ilka Staroste

... is an attractive man. He is well-groomed and well-clothed. His hair is put into a plait but some curls escape it. There is a female touch to his appearance. His face and his expression tell you that he must be a man of unstable personality, his frame of mind in danger of collapsing any minute. In spite of this he tries hard to stay dignified. But then, I don't need a picture to tell me these things: I need only to listen to his melancholy and exquisitely beautiful music. Beate Kowalczyk

I will describe my historical person as a symbol. Outwardly he seems peaceful, composed, calm, somebody who quietly and easily captivates his viewers, especially those who come close to him. However, his outward calmness is accompanied by an inner determination; he does not simply know what he wants, but is sure that he is right. With his strong will he accomplishes his objectives. Strength emanates from his character. His will is not a cold, calculating one, however, but rather is rooted in the passion of his vision. His originality lies in his ability to communicate both emotion and resolution, encouraging his followers to band together to achieve impossible goals without hurting others. A symbol of strength in peace. Cynthia Ngwibena

Although disabled (my right foot and leg were lame resulting from infantile paralysis), I became quite an excellent sportsman: Swimming and cricket were my favourite pastimes as a young man. My life was never monotonous due to many voyages abroad: the Near East, Italy, where I even settled down for a while, and Greece, the final station of my life. If I had any serious relationships with women? O - don't ask! Most of the affairs broke my heart (or my lover's) and ended unpleasantly. Because of this, I was even isolated, excluded by society, allegedly having caused "scandal". Therefore, I had to leave my native land for good. My financial situation was completely satisfactory: I inherited a title at the age of 20. I was really a handsome chap, with short, curly hair and gentle, dreamy eyes, and an unforgettable poet. Kristina Sturm

sceptical eyes lips pressed together tightlipped? yes: upright modest but tolerant merciful her long nose perhaps a symbol for accuracy sincerity and restlessness her face somewhat wrinkled probably not only because of her age Sonja Brucherseifer

His works are legendary and he is well known for being an outrageous artist. As I have seen his most famous piece of work, I can tell you that it is indeed fascinating, even overwhelming. But in the picture of him in front of me right now, his eyes have a rather sad look. They are dark with a plethora of wrinkles around them. His hair as well as his beard and complexion are dark, too. His features seem carved into his face, emphasizing his strong cheekbones. His forehead and eyebrows are frowning, with deep furrows in in his brow. I can feel the fury he vented on his many critics and his unwillingness to change his works despite their controversy. Charlotte Fricke

I lay down to rest on the hard ground The bleating of the sheep and lambs Made me sleepy The wind blew warm around my tent and I dozed and listened to these familiar sounds A great silence shivered through my body The noises around me fled away Suddenly a bright light shone inside my eyes A soft feeling touched my soul I felt safe and did not fear the brilliance of this heavenly vision Daniel Goerdeler

I was born on an island and spent my whole life there. Early in my youth I found my "Julia," but her name was Anna Hathaway. I caught a glimpse of her and then it was too late. Her eyes, her cheerful temper and her intelligence fascinated me immediately. It was this bittersweet woman who was to become my wife and the mother of my three children. For them I worked hard and dedicated my life to poetry and playwriting. But to become more successful I knew I ought to move away from my hometown to the heart of English culture. To go or not to go? That was the question which plagued me. Indeed, a brilliant career awaited me in London... Justyna Cempel

Do you recognize a genius when you see one? Don't expect someone with a weird hair-cut like Albert Einstein or with a faraway look in his eyes like an abstracted philosopher. No, sometimes the man next door can be a genius - perhaps he is ahead of his time, perhaps he is able to change the world forever or perhaps he regards public interests as his private affairs. I've just seen such a man and when I was told that he was indeed a genius I recognized the truth of it. His eyes looked serious yet kind, as if he had had a vision, a goal he very definitely wanted to reach, but not by using others. On the contrary, he used his inventiveness and determination for the common benefit. A true genius. Sandra Henrich

Am I as strong as people think I Perhaps it is only the contrast to others that makes me look so unusual. My brilliant career - a mere chance? Or fatal destiny? I've worked hard all my life, and made a great discovery. How can I know it will serve both the good and the bad? Yes, I am a strong woman, but the convolutions of history are more powerful still. Insa Keimer

For some months she was a young widow. Her husband, a weak-willed king, had been executed on the guillotine and she eventually had to face the same fate. On October 16, 1793, her time had come. On judgement day, a black-masked hangman with two assistants was standing at the doorway of her cell. Outside she heard the deafening roar of the hungry and blood-thirsty crowd. She felt the iron chains on her hands and feet, heard them clank with every step, in time to the heavy beating of her heart. For the first time in her proud life, her confidence failed. The moment she had secretly been dreading for months had come. Her eyes filled with tears. No, no crying, not in front of this mob which had never loved her. Why did she suddenly taste blood? Just a bitten lip. She imagined the spectators gleefully tossing her head around. "Let them eat cake," she hissed. Her skin became pure white as she stared at the guillotine. Five more steps. She could no longer hear the crowd and the ringing of the death bell. She knelt down and placed her head on the block, rejecting the hangman's heavy-handed assistance. She felt cold leather straps being tied around her ankles. The last sound she heard in her short, extravagant life was the ssshhh of the falling blade... Patrick Stein

No, I refuse. I simply refuse! No one tells me what to do. I will not be in bondage to anyone, be it a woman, a ruler, or a pope. Of course I've wrestled with my conscience, and you might think my plan is a simple pretext, a flimsy excuse for me to give free reign to my sexual passion. I admit that I've been used to a life of ease and comfort, with an abundance of servants, splendid apparel, and rich repasts. My strength, however, derives not from wealth, but from my fortitude of character. The plain truth is that I will NEVER obey an authority which thinks it is higher than me. I absolutely refuse!

Who's the man I'm looking at? It is said that he loves writing, especially humorous stories, but I guess that's not the only thing he thinks about. His knowing look reveals a life made up of more than funny incidents, and his expression is deeply unhappy. Although his clothing suggests that he lives in prosperity, there is some lack in his life, something hidden in his look. Sadness. Maybe a business failure? Perhaps the loss of a beloved person? Did he just grow old and realize his life wasn't as complete as he wanted it to be? Or was he disgusted with the materialism and insensitivity of his times, which he called the "Gilded Age"? But it is possible that I'm totally on the wrong track. Probably he is a contented grandfather who simply had a bad day when the picture was taken. Sonja Schuhen

Her eyes desperately gaze at a vision, they mirror the pain she's been through, reflect her beliefs, her hope, love, and her suffering. Her mouth tells me to stand up for what I believe in, to keep on fighting, and never to forget my goals. When I look at her face, I want to comfort her, and tell her that everything will be all right one day. And when I finally hug her, I can feel the collar around her neck. Andrea Hochholzer

I don't know why, but when I look at the picture of this famous person I see many contradictions. He seems to have a strong character, but also has a pensive, rather critical look. It's also a little bit sad. He is a very intelligent man who has accomplished many innovations - is he not content? The balding man I'm gazing at is starting to grow old, his face already covered with wrinkles. But his hair is still full at the back of his head, and his wrinkles might temporarily disappear if he laughed. Since as a leader of the American Enlightenment he relies on reason rather than emotions, perhaps there is simply not much for him to laugh about. Rebecca Jung

Renowned world-wide for her dazzling beauty, this woman was also one of history's most powerful figures. Her features emphasize not only her handsome outward appearance but also her determined will. Although her smooth cheeks, her soft crimson mouth and her sparkling eyes of beaming colours contribute to her feminine charm, her harsh political actions were worthy of an ambitious, unscrupled dictator. Celebrated and admired by men of glory and fame, she was feared by those heroes at the same time. Men could not resist her tempting beauty and she could not renounce their admiration. But she abused intimacy by ending relationships in destruction. Men were rewarded for their fascination with this queen by experiencing her superiority - and the kiss of death. Ramona Schwane

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