The novella, Aus dem Leben eines Taugenichts was published in 1826 by Joseph von Eichendorff and was heralded at that time and for many years thereafter by critics as the epitome of the German romantic novel, and the hero, the Taugenichts himself, was the ultimate German romantic hero as well. In the recent past critics have questioned this orientation and research has been initiated that contradicts the assertion that Eichendorff crafted the ideal romantic novella and hero. This Thesis will examine the validity of this claim.