What happens at the end of Erlkonig?

Answer 1

At the end of "Erlkönig," a poem by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, the father desperately tries to reassure his son during their ride through the dark forest. The boy, however, becomes increasingly terrified as he sees the Erlking, a supernatural figure who lures children to their doom. Ultimately, when they arrive home, the father finds that the boy has died in his arms, succumbing to the Erlking's influence. The poem ends on a tragic note, emphasizing themes of fear, loss, and the power of supernatural forces.