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DE Drama
Browse DE Drama as a public-domain reading list on Rivro, with free classics, authors, subjects, and related books.
Faust: Der Tragödie erster Teil
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Faust: Der Tragödie erster Teil
"Faust: Der Tragödie erster Teil" by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe is a tragedy published in 1808. The renowned scholar Dr. Heinrich Faust, disillusioned with knowledge and unable to enjoy life, makes a wager with the devil Mephistopheles. Transformed into a young man, Faust embarks on a journey that leads to a passionate affair with the innocent Margarete, called Gretchen. Their relationship spirals into tragedy, bringing death and destruction to those around them, while Mephistopheles schemes to win Faust's soul.
Faust: Eine Tragödie [erster Teil]
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Faust: Eine Tragödie [erster Teil]
"Faust: Eine Tragödie [erster Teil]" by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe is a tragedy published in 1808. The aging scholar Dr. Faust, dissatisfied with knowledge and unable to enjoy life, makes a pact with the devil Mephistopheles. Transformed into a young man, Faust embarks on a journey that leads to his seduction of the innocent Gretchen. Their relationship spirals into tragedy, bringing death and destruction, ultimately leaving Gretchen imprisoned and facing execution while Faust struggles to save her.
Woyzeck
Georg Büchner
Woyzeck
"Woyzeck" by Georg Büchner is a dramatic fragment written between July and October 1836. Left unfinished at the author's death in 1837, this groundbreaking work follows a poor soldier exploited by those above him. Based on the true case of a man who murdered his lover, the play explores themes of poverty, mental deterioration, and social injustice. Its fragmented structure and episodic scenes revolutionized dramatic form, making it one of the most performed and influential works in German literature.
Der Zerbrochene Krug
Heinrich von Kleist
Der Zerbrochene Krug
"Der Zerbrochene Krug" by Heinrich von Kleist is a comedy written in blank verse and considered one of his most famous works. In a Dutch village courtroom around 1685, Judge Adam must preside over a case involving a broken jug—but he himself is the culprit. As evidence mounts and witnesses testify, Adam desperately manipulates the proceedings to conceal his guilt. This analytical drama builds toward the revelation of what really happened that fateful night in Eve's chamber.
Faust: Der Tragödie zweiter Teil
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Faust: Der Tragödie zweiter Teil
"Faust: Der Tragödie zweiter Teil" by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe is a dramatic work completed in 1831 and published in 1832. This continuation of Faust I follows the protagonist beyond personal struggle into ambitious social and political action. Faust pursues artistic creation, journeys through time to wed the classical beauty Helena, and grapples with questions of power and meaning. Through allegory and spectacle spanning five acts, Goethe explores whether human striving can achieve lasting change, culminating in themes of redemption and grace.
Reigen: Zehn Dialoge
Arthur Schnitzler
Reigen: Zehn Dialoge
"Reigen: Zehn Dialoge" by Arthur Schnitzler is a play written between 1896 and 1897. Ten dialogues depict pairs of men and women from different social classes before and after sexual encounters. Each scene links to the next like a dance, with one partner from each scene continuing into the following one. The cycle moves from prostitute to soldier to maid, ascending through bourgeois and aristocratic Vienna, until the final scene closes the circle. Schnitzler portrays desire, power, seduction, and disappointment across Fin de Siècle society.
Emilia Galotti
Gotthold Ephraim Lessing
Emilia Galotti
"Emilia Galotti" by Gotthold Ephraim Lessing is a play in five acts that premiered in 1772. This bourgeois tragedy unfolds in Italy, where an absolutist prince becomes obsessed with a virtuous young woman from the middle class on the eve of her wedding. His scheming chamberlain sets a sinister plot in motion to prevent the marriage, leading to murder, deception, and a devastating moral crisis. The play starkly contrasts aristocratic power with enlightened bourgeois morality in a gripping conflict of conscience.
Nathan der Weise: Ein Dramatisches Gedicht, in fünf Aufzügen
Gotthold Ephraim Lessing
Nathan der Weise: Ein Dramatisches Gedicht, in fünf Aufzügen
"Nathan der Weise: Ein Dramatisches Gedicht, in fünf Aufzügen" by Gotthold Ephraim Lessing is a five-act drama published in 1779. Set in Jerusalem during the Third Crusade, the play follows Nathan, a wealthy Jewish merchant, whose adopted daughter is rescued from fire by a Christian Templar. When Sultan Saladin tests Nathan's wisdom by asking which religion is true, Nathan responds with the famous Ring Parable—a story about three identical rings that becomes a powerful statement on religious tolerance and humanity's shared values.
Kabale und Liebe: Ein bürgerliches Trauerspiel
Friedrich Schiller
Kabale und Liebe: Ein bürgerliches Trauerspiel
"Kabale und Liebe: Ein bürgerliches Trauerspiel" by Friedrich Schiller is a five-act play written in 1784. Ferdinand, a nobleman's son, and Luise Miller, a musician's daughter, fall deeply in love despite their different social classes. Both fathers oppose the relationship, and the president schemes to marry Ferdinand to the duke's mistress instead. A sinister plot involving false letters and forced oaths threatens to destroy the lovers' bond. This bourgeois tragedy explores the deadly conflict between middle-class values and aristocratic power.
Romeo und Julia
William Shakespeare
Romeo und Julia
"Romeo und Julia" by William Shakespeare is a tragedy written between 1591 and 1595 about the romance between two young Italians from feuding families. Set in Verona, the play follows the star-crossed lovers as their secret passion unfolds against a backdrop of family hatred and violence. Their forbidden relationship sets off a chain of events involving duels, banishment, and desperate schemes. Shakespeare transformed an existing Italian tale into one of literature's most enduring stories of love and fate, creating archetypal young lovers whose names remain synonymous with tragic romance.
Wallensteins Lager
Friedrich Schiller
Wallensteins Lager
"Wallensteins Lager" by Friedrich Schiller is a dramatic prologue written in 1799. It serves as the opening to Schiller's Wallenstein trilogy, set during the Thirty Years' War in 1633. The play depicts life in the military camp of the powerful general Albrecht von Wallenstein, capturing the voices of common soldiers who praise their commander's leadership and the freedoms he grants them. Tensions rise when troops learn the emperor plans to transfer part of the army to Spanish Habsburg command, setting the stage for the conflict that unfolds in the trilogy's subsequent plays.
Iphigenie auf Tauris
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Iphigenie auf Tauris
"Iphigenie auf Tauris" by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe is a verse drama written in 1779 and revised in 1786. Based on Euripides' ancient tragedy, it follows Iphigenie, rescued from sacrifice and now a priestess on the island of Tauris. She longs for her Greek homeland while serving King Thoas, who desires to marry her. When two mysterious strangers arrive—her brother Orest and his friend Pylades—a family cursed by generations of murder faces a chance at redemption, if only they can recognize each other.
Hamburgische Dramaturgie
Gotthold Ephraim Lessing
Hamburgische Dramaturgie
"Hamburgische Dramaturgie" by Gotthold Ephraim Lessing is a work on drama written between 1767 and 1769. Originally conceived as theater criticism during Lessing's tenure as dramaturg at Hamburg's German National Theater, this collection revolutionized dramatic theory. Lessing reinterpreted Aristotle's ideas about tragedy, arguing that audiences must feel empathy rather than mere terror. He championed natural, probable plots and characters resembling ordinary people—even when depicting kings. His vision challenged baroque theater's rigid conventions and helped establish bourgeois drama as a new theatrical form.
The Flying Dutchman (Der Fliegende Hollaender): Romantic Opera in Three Acts
Richard Wagner
The Flying Dutchman (Der Fliegende Hollaender): Romantic Opera in Three Acts
"The Flying Dutchman (Der Fliegende Hollaender): Romantic Opera in Three Acts" by Richard Wagner is a German-language opera composed in 1840-1841. A sea captain cursed to sail forever can only be saved through the love of a faithful woman. Inspired by Wagner's own stormy sea voyage and Heinrich Heine's retelling of the legend, this work explores redemption through love. Wagner introduces leitmotifs—recurring musical themes—for characters and ideas, marking an early step toward his later groundbreaking operatic style.
Götz von Berlichingen mit der eisernen Hand: Ein Schauspiel
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Götz von Berlichingen mit der eisernen Hand: Ein Schauspiel
"Götz von Berlichingen mit der eisernen Hand: Ein Schauspiel" by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe is a drama first printed in 1773. Set in medieval Germany, it follows the rebellious knight Götz von Berlichingen as he battles corrupt nobility and an encroaching modern state. Betrayed by his friend Weislingen, besieged by imperial forces, and reluctantly drawn into a peasant uprising, Götz fights for personal freedom and loyalty in a changing world. This Sturm und Drang masterpiece broke theatrical conventions, spanning fifty locations and multiple parallel storylines to create an epic portrait of defiance.
Dantons Tod
Georg Büchner
Dantons Tod
"Dantons Tod" by Georg Büchner is a drama in four acts written between mid-January and mid-February 1835. Set during the French Revolution's Reign of Terror in March and April 1794, the play depicts the final confrontation between revolutionary leader Danton and Robespierre. As moderate and radical factions have been eliminated, Danton's calls to end the Terror threaten Robespierre's power. The work remains Büchner's only drama published during his lifetime, though heavily censored.
Prometheus Dramatisches Fragment
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Prometheus Dramatisches Fragment
"Prometheus" by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe is a poem written between 1772 and 1774. The mythic titan Prometheus boldly addresses God in fierce accusation and defiance, rejecting divine authority and asserting his own creative power. As a cornerstone of the German Sturm und Drang movement, the poem presents the rebellious spirit who, spurned by God, stands alone in angry resistance—exploring humanity's capacity for both defiance and independence through classical mythology and Biblical echoes.
Jedermann: Das Spiel vom Sterben des reichen Mannes
Hugo von Hofmannsthal
Jedermann: Das Spiel vom Sterben des reichen Mannes
"Jedermann: Das Spiel vom Sterben des reichen Mannes" by Hugo von Hofmannsthal is a theatrical play first performed in 1911. A wealthy man lives without concern for God or his fellow humans, hoarding riches and ignoring the poor. When Death suddenly appears to summon him before divine judgment, he desperately seeks companions for his final journey. His friends, servants, and even his beloved gold all abandon him. Only through discovering faith and recognizing his good deeds can he hope for salvation from an uncertain fate.
Hamlet, Prinz von Dännemark
William Shakespeare
Hamlet, Prinz von Dännemark
"Hamlet, Prinz von Dännemark" by William Shakespeare is a tragedy written between 1599 and 1601. Prince Hamlet must avenge his father's murder after a ghost reveals that his uncle Claudius killed the king to seize the throne and marry Hamlet's mother. As Hamlet feigns madness to investigate the truth, he navigates a treacherous court filled with spies, forbidden love, and political intrigue. Considered one of the most powerful tragedies in the English language, this tale of revenge and moral complexity remains endlessly influential.
Der Sturm, oder Die bezauberte Insel
William Shakespeare
Der Sturm, oder Die bezauberte Insel
"Der Sturm, oder Die bezauberte Insel" by William Shakespeare is a play written around 1611. Prospero, the exiled Duke of Milan, lives on an enchanted island with his daughter Miranda. Using magic, he controls the island's spirits and confronts his enemies when they are shipwrecked on his shores. The play explores themes of power, forgiveness, and humanity's relationship with nature and civilization, combining elements of comedy, romance, and the supernatural in Shakespeare's characteristically complex style.
Ein Sommernachtstraum
William Shakespeare
Ein Sommernachtstraum
"Ein Sommernachtstraum" by William Shakespeare is a comedy play written in about 1595 or 1596. Set in Athens and an enchanted forest, the play weaves together multiple stories: four young lovers caught in romantic confusion, amateur actors rehearsing a wedding performance, and fairy royals engaged in their own quarrels. When mischievous fairies use magical potions to manipulate mortal hearts, chaos and comedy ensue under the moonlight, leading to unexpected entanglements before the Duke's wedding celebration.
König Ottokars Glück und Ende Trauerspiel in fünf Aufzügen
Franz Grillparzer
König Ottokars Glück und Ende Trauerspiel in fünf Aufzügen
"König Ottokars Glück und Ende" by Franz Grillparzer is a tragedy written in 1823. Based on the historical King Ottokar II of Bohemia, the play chronicles a powerful monarch's dramatic fall from greatness. Through his own flawed decisions—divorcing his wife, alienating supporters, and losing the Holy Roman Emperor crown to a rival—Ottokar descends from the height of power toward ruin. Grillparzer originally planned to write about Napoleon but chose this medieval king instead, finding striking parallels between the two figures.
Die Piccolomini
Friedrich Schiller
Die Piccolomini
"Die Piccolomini" by Friedrich Schiller is a play written in the early 1800s as the second part of the Wallenstein trilogy. Set in 1634 during the Thirty Years' War, the drama follows the legendary general Wallenstein as his army commanders gather in Pilsen. Tensions mount between Wallenstein's loyal officers and the Emperor's envoys, while secret intrigues unfold. At the center lies a web of conflicting loyalties, hidden agendas, and a mysterious plot involving Wallenstein's daughter Thekla and the young officer Max Piccolomini.
Penthesilea
Heinrich von Kleist
Penthesilea
"Penthesilea" by Heinrich von Kleist is a tragedy written in 1808. The play reimagines the mythological Amazon queen who enters the Trojan War to capture Greek warriors as potential husbands—a sacred Amazon tradition. When Penthesilea and the hero Achilles meet on the battlefield, they fall passionately in love. But their mutual desire collides violently with Amazon law, which demands that warriors defeat men in combat before claiming them. A devastating misunderstanding transforms love into fury, leading to a shocking climax that explores the dangerous boundary between passion and destruction.
Romeo und Juliette
William Shakespeare
Romeo und Juliette
"Romeo und Juliette" by William Shakespeare is a tragedy written between 1591 and 1595. Two young lovers from feuding Italian families fall passionately in love and marry in secret, hoping to unite their warring households. When violence erupts between the families, their forbidden romance faces devastating consequences. As misunderstandings multiply and fate intervenes, the lovers must navigate family loyalty, exile, and desperate plans that will test whether love can triumph over ancient hatred—or if tragedy is inevitable.
Die Jungfrau von Orleans
Friedrich Schiller
Die Jungfrau von Orleans
"Die Jungfrau von Orleans" by Friedrich Schiller is a tragedy premiered in 1801. The play follows the life of Joan of Arc through a prologue and five acts. Initially adhering to historical events, the drama takes a fictional turn when Joan falls in love with an English knight she was meant to kill. Accused of sorcery and dismissed from the French court, she must later break free from English captivity to save her army in a climactic battle that will determine her fate and legacy.
Die Verschwörung des Fiesco zu Genua: Ein republikanisches Trauerspiel
Friedrich Schiller
Die Verschwörung des Fiesco zu Genua: Ein republikanisches Trauerspiel
"Die Verschwörung des Fiesco zu Genua: Ein republikanisches Trauerspiel" by Friedrich Schiller is a drama written in 1782-1783. Set in 1547 Genoa, the play follows a brewing conspiracy against the aging ruler Andrea Doria and his tyrannical nephew. The young Count Fiesco conceals his true intentions behind a mask of carefree indulgence, leaving allies and enemies uncertain where he stands. As multiple plots intertwine—rebellion, assassination, and counter-conspiracy—Fiesco wrestles with an explosive question: should he liberate the republic or seize power for himself?
Ein Bruderzwist in Habsburg
Franz Grillparzer
Ein Bruderzwist in Habsburg
"Ein Bruderzwist in Habsburg" by Franz Grillparzer is a five-act drama written in 1848. The play depicts the bitter conflict between Emperor Rudolf II and his ambitious brother Matthias, who schemes to seize the throne. Rudolf, paralyzed by his fear of political action and moral compromise, faces accusations of weakness while Matthias pursues power with reckless confidence. Their struggle unfolds against a backdrop of religious tensions and political intrigue, ultimately culminating in Rudolf's downfall and an ominous prophecy of the coming Thirty Years' War.
Minna von Barnhelm
Gotthold Ephraim Lessing
Minna von Barnhelm
"Minna von Barnhelm" by Gotthold Ephraim Lessing is a comedy completed in 1767. Set against the backdrop of the Seven Years' War, the play follows a separated engaged couple reunited in Berlin. The officer, disgraced and impoverished, refuses to marry his beloved, rejecting all her support. She devises a deception to change his mind, but her scheme leads to serious misunderstandings among all involved. As secrets from the past emerge and the Prussian king intervenes, the tangled web must unravel before her guardian arrives.
Der Neffe als Onkel Lustspiel in drei Aufzuegen. Aus dem Franzoesischen des Picard
Friedrich Schiller
Der Neffe als Onkel Lustspiel in drei Aufzuegen. Aus dem Franzoesischen des Picard
"Der Neffe als Onkel" by Friedrich Schiller is a comedic play written in the late 18th century. The story revolves around themes of mistaken identity and romantic entanglements, featuring characters such as Oberst von Dorsigny, his nephew Franz, and their respective family members as they navigate a series of misunderstandings regarding love and marriage. The opening of the play introduces us to a comedic scenario where Franz von Dorsigny has disguised himself as his uncle, a colonel, to avoid being recognized after a duel. As he interacts with his friend Valcour and tries to conceal his identity, the tension mounts with the impending marriage of his cousin Sophie to another suitor, the young Lormeuil. As family members discuss the engagements unbeknownst to them, the comedic misunderstandings begin, setting the stage for a series of witty exchanges and humorous predicaments that explore the dynamics of love and familial obligations. The opening effectively establishes the central conflict of the play, filled with anticipation for the unfolding comedic chaos.
Das goldene Vließ
Franz Grillparzer
Das goldene Vließ
"Das goldene Vließ" by Franz Grillparzer is a dramatic trilogy written between 1818-1820. This expansive retelling of the ancient Argonaut myth follows the cursed golden fleece across three interconnected tales. From Phryxus's betrayal and murder in barbaric Colchis, through Jason's quest and forbidden love with the sorceress Medea, to her tragic exile and devastating revenge in Greece, the work explores themes of loyalty, cultural collision, and destiny's cruel demands as the fleece passes from hand to bloodstained hand.
Der junge Gelehrte: Ein Lustspiel in drei Aufzügen
Gotthold Ephraim Lessing
Der junge Gelehrte: Ein Lustspiel in drei Aufzügen
"Der junge Gelehrte: Ein Lustspiel in drei Aufzügen" by Gotthold Ephraim Lessing is a comedy completed in 1747. The play follows Damis, a pompous twenty-year-old scholar who believes he can earn multiple doctorates, speaks six languages, and devotes himself to meaningless academic pursuits. When his father arranges a marriage to his ward Juliane, Damis resists—until pride drives him to accept for all the wrong reasons. Meanwhile, Juliane's true love desperately schemes to win her hand, leading to deceptions, misunderstandings, and a humbling revelation that shatters Damis's inflated self-image.
Die zärtlichen Schwestern
Christian Fürchtegott Gellert
Die zärtlichen Schwestern
"Die zärtlichen Schwestern" by Christian Fürchtegott Gellert is a play published in 1747. Two sisters navigate questions of love and marriage when the younger receives a proposal from a wealthy suitor. The elder sister selflessly schemes to secure her sibling's happiness, even as her own romance with a poor but beloved man faces uncertainty. When deception reveals a surprise inheritance, loyalties shift and true characters emerge, forcing difficult choices about love, money, and worthiness.
Egmont
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Egmont
"Egmont" by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe is a drama completed in 1788. The play depicts Count Egmont's fight against Spanish oppression during the Eighty Years' War. Despite warnings of arrest, Egmont refuses to flee, standing firm in his ideals of liberty and justice. As he faces imprisonment and his mistress Klärchen struggles desperately to save him, the nobleman must confront the consequences of his unwavering honesty. This political manifesto explores themes of freedom, destiny, and the price of principle against despotic authority.
Herodes und Mariamne: Eine Tragödie in fünf Akten
Friedrich Hebbel
Herodes und Mariamne: Eine Tragödie in fünf Akten
"Herodes und Mariamne: Eine Tragödie in fünf Akten" by Friedrich Hebbel is a dramatic work written in the mid-19th century. The tragedy unfolds against the backdrop of Jerusalem around the time of Christ's birth, centering on the tumultuous relationship between King Herodes and his wife Mariamne, alongside the intrigues of their court involving family tensions, political plots, and themes of love and betrayal. The opening of the play introduces a tense atmosphere in Herodes' court, where he deals with the fallout from a recent catastrophe—a fire that broke out and may have claimed lives. As characters such as Joab, Sameas, and Judas engage in dialogue, it becomes clear that Herodes is preoccupied with maintaining his power amidst threats from the Pharisees and internal dissent. The discussion suggests ominous tensions involving Mariamne, hints of her defiance, and Herodes' struggle to balance love for his wife with his ruthless political ambitions. Through this setup, Hebbel establishes a gripping narrative of loyalty, fear, and the tragic consequences of power, showcasing the complexities of the relationships between the characters, especially between Herodes and Mariamne.
Das Käthchen von Heilbronn: Oder, die Feuerprobe
Heinrich von Kleist
Das Käthchen von Heilbronn: Oder, die Feuerprobe
"Das Käthchen von Heilbronn: Oder, die Feuerprobe" by Heinrich von Kleist is a historical knight drama written in 1807–1808. When a blacksmith's daughter mysteriously follows a count after he visits her father's forge, she faces accusations of enchantment before a court. The count believes a noblewoman is his destined bride, revealed through prophetic dreams. Yet the devoted Käthchen endures a trial by fire that exposes hidden truths about deception, identity, and imperial secrets. This tale of devotion and destiny captivated nineteenth-century audiences despite its controversial themes.
Wie es Euch gefällt
William Shakespeare
Wie es Euch gefällt
"Wie es Euch gefällt" by William Shakespeare is a pastoral comedy written in 1599. When Rosalind flees her uncle's court to escape persecution, she seeks refuge in the Forest of Arden alongside her cousin Celia. There, they encounter an array of memorable characters, including the melancholy traveler Jaques, who delivers Shakespeare's famous "All the world's a stage" speech. In this woodland sanctuary, Rosalind will discover not only safety but also love, while navigating the contrasts between courtly life and rustic existence.
Timon von Athen
William Shakespeare
Timon von Athen
"Timon von Athen" by William Shakespeare is a play written around 1606. A wealthy Athenian gentleman lavishes his fortune on friends and flatterers, hosting extravagant banquets and rescuing others from debt. When his generosity leaves him bankrupt, those he helped turn their backs. Betrayed and bitter, Timon retreats to a wilderness cave, cursing humanity and Athens itself. This dark exploration of friendship, ingratitude, and misanthropy follows one man's devastating transformation from generous benefactor to humanity's harshest critic.
Coriolanus
William Shakespeare
Coriolanus
"Coriolanus" by William Shakespeare is a tragedy written between 1605 and 1608. Based on the life of legendary Roman general Gnaeus Marcius Coriolanus, the play follows a brilliant military leader whose contempt for common citizens leads to his banishment from Rome. In exile, he allies with Rome's enemies, the Volscians, and leads them against his homeland. When his mother persuades him to make peace instead of seeking revenge, his decision proves fatal, leaving him caught between two worlds.
Macbeth
William Shakespeare
Macbeth
"Macbeth" by William Shakespeare is a tragedy first performed in 1606. When a Scottish general receives a prophecy from three witches that he will become king, his latent ambition awakens. Spurred by his wife, Macbeth commits murder to seize the throne—but his violent path to power unleashes guilt, paranoia, and further bloodshed. As the ambitious couple descends into tyranny and madness, Shakespeare explores the devastating psychological costs of unchecked ambition and political violence in this dark tale of prophecy and moral corruption.
Miss Sara Sampson
Gotthold Ephraim Lessing
Miss Sara Sampson
"Miss Sara Sampson" by Gotthold Ephraim Lessing is a bourgeois tragedy written in 1755. Sara has fled with her lover Mellefont to marry in France, leaving her forgiving father behind. But Mellefont's former mistress Marwood arrives with their secret daughter, determined to win him back at any cost. As father pursues daughter and rival confronts rival at an English inn, questions of love, virtue, and forgiveness collide. What begins as a tale of reconciliation spirals toward tragedy when jealousy and deception poison more than hearts.
Was ihr wollt
William Shakespeare
Was ihr wollt
"Was ihr wollt" by William Shakespeare is a romantic comedy written around 1601–1602. When twins Viola and Sebastian are separated by shipwreck, Viola disguises herself as a young man and enters the Duke's service. A tangled love triangle emerges: Viola loves the Duke, who loves Countess Olivia, who falls for Viola's male disguise. Meanwhile, a mischievous subplot unfolds as servants trick the pompous Malvolio into believing Olivia loves him. Mistaken identities multiply until the twins' eventual reunion unravels the romantic confusion.
Das Mädchen aus der Feenwelt; oder, Der Bauer als Millionär
Ferdinand Raimund
Das Mädchen aus der Feenwelt; oder, Der Bauer als Millionär
"Das Mädchen aus der Feenwelt; oder, Der Bauer als Millionär" by Ferdinand Raimund is a romantic fairy tale with music premiered in 1826. A fairy's daughter is banished to Earth and must reject all wealth to marry a poor man before her eighteenth birthday. When the simple farmer raising her discovers treasure and becomes corrupted by riches, magical forces intervene. Allegorical figures like Youth, Age, Envy, and Contentment shape the fates of lovers kept apart by greed, teaching lessons about true happiness and the dangers of material wealth.
Candida: Ein Mysterium in drei Akten
Bernard Shaw
Candida: Ein Mysterium in drei Akten
"Candida: Ein Mysterium in drei Akten" by Bernard Shaw is a comedy written in 1894. A young poet falls desperately in love with Candida, wife of a famous clergyman, and attempts to rescue her from domestic life. He views her as divine and believes she deserves more than her marriage offers. Her husband assumes she needs his protection, but the reality differs dramatically. Candida must ultimately choose between two men who love her—each offering vastly different visions of devotion. Her choice challenges Victorian assumptions about love and marriage.
Der Parasit, oder, die Kunst sein Glück zu machen Ein Lustspiel nach dem Franzoesischen [des Picard]
Friedrich Schiller
Der Parasit, oder, die Kunst sein Glück zu machen Ein Lustspiel nach dem Franzoesischen [des Picard]
"Der Parasit, oder, die Kunst sein Glück zu machen" by Schiller and Picard is a comedy adapted in 1803. Based on Louis-Benoît Picard's 1797 French play, Schiller's German version tells the story of Selicour, a cunning hypocrite who schemes his way into the favor of an honest new minister. Through manipulation and deception, he positions himself to win a coveted diplomatic post and the minister's daughter's hand in marriage. But his calculated methods may ultimately entrap him in his own web of lies.
Die Juden Ein Lustspiel in einem Aufzuge verfertiget im Jahre 1749.
Gotthold Ephraim Lessing
Die Juden Ein Lustspiel in einem Aufzuge verfertiget im Jahre 1749.
"Die Juden" by Gotthold Ephraim Lessing is a comedic play written in the 18th century, specifically during the Enlightenment period. This work explores themes of prejudice, social perception, and the dichotomy between appearances and reality through humor and character interactions. Lessing uses satire to critique societal attitudes towards Jews in his time. The play follows a group of characters, including a traveling gentleman, his servant Christoph, and a baron, who engage in discussions filled with misunderstandings and comedic situations regarding a robbery involving supposed Jewish thieves. The protagonist confronts the prejudices of the other characters while unwittingly revealing his own identity. As the plot unfolds, misunderstandings about identity and morality lead to a climax where the stereotypes and biases against Jews are challenged. Ultimately, the play calls for greater empathy and understanding between different cultures, blending humor with a thoughtful critique of social norms.
Gyges und sein Ring
Friedrich Hebbel
Gyges und sein Ring
"Gyges und sein Ring" by Friedrich Hebbel is a tragedy written in 1854. At the court of King Kandaules, the Greek Gyges possesses a magical ring that grants invisibility. When Kandaules persuades Gyges to use it to secretly view the veiled Queen Rhodope, the violation triggers devastating consequences. Rhodope demands blood atonement for her dishonor, forcing a deadly choice between the king and his friend. This blank verse drama explores honor, shame, and the irreversible nature of transgression in a tale drawn from ancient Greek mythology.
König Heinrich der vierte. Der Zweyte Theil, der seinen Tod, und die Crönung von Heinrich dem fünften enthält.
William Shakespeare
König Heinrich der vierte. Der Zweyte Theil, der seinen Tod, und die Crönung von Heinrich dem fünften enthält.
"König Heinrich der vierte. Der Zweyte Theil, der seinen Tod, und die Crönung von Heinrich dem fünften enthält" by William Shakespeare is a historical play likely written in the early 17th century. The work follows the political and personal struggles in England during a time of civil unrest and rebellion, prominently featuring King Henry IV, his son Prince Henry (later Henry V), and various nobles involved in the conflict. The opening portion introduces us to the tense atmosphere surrounding the conflict. Characters such as Northumberland, Bardolph, and Morton discuss the aftermath of a recent battle at Shrewsbury, revealing that Prince Henry's brother, Harry Percy (Hotspur), has been slain. Northumberland is deeply affected by the death of his son and expresses a thirst for revenge. Meanwhile, Shakespeare intersperses the grim political machinations with lighter scenes featuring the comedic character Falstaff, highlighting the contrasts between the serious themes of war and the absurdity of life. The section sets the stage for the impending conflict and the intertwining lives of nobility and comedic relief, suggesting a rich tapestry of themes and character dynamics that will unfold throughout the play.