Egmont

by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

"Egmont" by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe is a drama completed in 1788. Set during the Eighty Years' War, it follows Count Egmont, a Dutch warrior who refuses to flee from Spanish oppression despite the threat of arrest. His idealism and trust in others lead him toward a fatal confrontation with the despotic Duke of Alba. As his mistress Klärchen desperately tries to save him, Egmont must face the consequences of his unwavering commitment to liberty and justice, transforming personal tragedy into a powerful call for national independence.