The cultural and literary phenomenon of Orientalism has exerted a considerable influence on Western literature, including German literature of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. The perception of the Orient, shaped by Western perceptions and stereotypes, is reflected in the work of numerous German authors. The utilization of Oriental motifs and images serves to establish exotic backdrops, convey philosophical and spiritual concepts, and facilitate the critique and rethinking of Western culture. To achieve our objective, we must address the following tasks: to examine the ways in which oriental motifs and images were employed in German literature of the 19th and 20th centuries to create an exotic backdrop and to express philosophical and spiritual ideas. This study will pay special attention to the critical analysis of Orientalism in the works of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe and Hermann Hesse. In particular, it will compare their approaches to the representation of Oriental culture and the influence of these works on the formation of Western perceptions of the Orient. One of the key theoretical aspects of the study is Edward Saidʼs Orientalism, which provides a critical framework for the analysis of the use of oriental motifs in Western literature. Said underscores that Orientalism functions as a vehicle for cultural dominance, engendering stereotypes and distorted notions about the Orient. This study illuminates significant aspects of Oriental-Western literary and cultural interaction, while also advancing our comprehension of the interrelationship between these cultures.