Subject
German drama -- Translations into English Books
Best books
Friedrich Schiller
The Robbers
"The Robbers" by Friedrich Schiller is a dramatic play published in 1781. This groundbreaking work centers on two aristocratic brothers locked in devastating conflict: the charismatic Karl and the calculating Franz, who schemes to steal his brother's inheritance. As Franz's manipulations drive Karl toward rebellion and violence, the play explores the blurred lines between liberty and law, good and evil. Schiller's emotionally charged language and unflinching portrayal of violence shocked eighteenth-century audiences, making him an overnight sensation and profoundly influencing European melodrama.
Gotthold Ephraim Lessing
Nathan the Wise; a dramatic poem in five acts
"Nathan the Wise; a dramatic poem in five acts" by Gotthold Ephraim Lessing is a play written in 1779. Set in Jerusalem during the Third Crusade, it brings together a wise Jewish merchant, a Muslim sultan, and a Christian Templar in an unexpected web of rescue, debt, and love. When Sultan Saladin tests Nathan's wisdom by asking which religion is true, Nathan responds with a parable about an inheritance that challenges everything. As secrets unfold about true identities and family connections, this fervent plea for religious tolerance explores whether different faiths can bridge their divides through friendship and humanity.
Frank Wedekind
The Awakening of Spring: A Tragedy of Childhood
"The Awakening of Spring: A Tragedy of Childhood" by Frank Wedekind is a play written between 1890 and 1891. This foundational work of modern theatre follows three adolescents navigating the confusion and dangers of puberty in repressive nineteenth-century Germany. Wendla seeks answers about reproduction her mother refuses to give. Melchior possesses forbidden knowledge. Moritz struggles with fears he cannot comprehend. Their paths intertwine as sexual awakening collides with societal silence, leading to devastating consequences that sparked controversy and censorship for generations.
Gotthold Ephraim Lessing
The Dramatic Works of G. E. Lessing Miss Sara Sampson, Philotas, Emilia Galotti, Nathan the Wise
"The Dramatic Works of G. E. Lessing" by Gotthold Ephraim Lessing is a collection of plays written in the 18th century. This anthology reveals the diverse styles and themes of Lessing's renowned works, including notable pieces such as "Miss Sara Sampson," "Philotas," "Emilia Galotti," and "Nathan the Wise." The collection likely focuses on the exploration of emotional depth, societal issues, and the artistic dynamics of drama, illuminating the complexities of human relationships and moral dilemmas. At the start of "Miss Sara Sampson," the narrative unfolds in a poignant setting within an inn, where Sir William Sampson expresses sorrow over his daughter's plight. The opening dialogue reveals a deep familial bond overshadowed by distress as Sir William worries about his daughter, Sara, who has seemingly been led astray by her suitor, Mellefont. Through the interactions between Sir William and his loyal servant, Waitwell, as well as Sara's emotional turmoil, the groundwork is laid for themes of honor, love, and the quest for redemption amidst societal expectations and personal failures. The characters' struggles foreshadow a rich emotional landscape that challenges the audience to reflect on the nuances of virtue and vice in human conduct.
Frank Wedekind
Pandora's Box: A Tragedy in Three Acts
"Pandora's Box: A Tragedy in Three Acts" by Frank Wedekind is a play written in 1904. The second part of Wedekind's Lulu plays, it follows the femme fatale Lulu after her prison escape for murdering her husband. From lavish Parisian society to a London garret, Lulu descends through increasingly desperate circumstances, accompanied by obsessive lovers and exploiters. This controversial tragedy explores lust, greed, and the ambiguous nature of its central character, culminating in a violent encounter with Jack the Ripper.
Friedrich Schiller
Love and Intrigue: A Tragedy
"Love and Intrigue: A Tragedy" by Friedrich Schiller is a five-act play written in 1784. When Ferdinand, a nobleman's son, falls in love with Luise, daughter of a middle-class musician, their forbidden romance faces deadly opposition. Ferdinand's powerful father schemes to marry him off to the duke's mistress instead, while a sinister plot involving false letters and forced oaths threatens to destroy the young lovers' bond. This bourgeois tragedy explores class conflict and individual freedom against courtly intrigue in eighteenth-century Germany.
Arthur Schnitzler
The Lonely Way—Intermezzo—Countess Mizzie Three Plays
"The Lonely Way—Intermezzo—Countess Mizzie" by Arthur Schnitzler is a collection of three plays written in the early 20th century. The works delve into themes of love, personal struggle, and the complexities of human relationships, set against the backdrop of early modern Vienna. The characters in Schnitzler's plays often embody the tensions between societal expectations and individual desires, making the collection a poignant exploration of human intimacy and existential themes. The opening of the first play, "The Lonely Way," introduces a family dynamic within the garden of Professor Wegrat's house, highlighting his interactions with his wife and children, as well as their acquaintances. As the characters converse, they navigate the weight of familial expectations, personal aspirations, and the looming presence of illness, which adds an undercurrent of melancholy. The dialogue reveals deep-seated fears and desires, particularly through the character of Johanna, who grapples with her mother's illness and the implications of their growing distance. This opening sets the stage for the unfolding emotional conflicts, inviting readers into the intricate webs of relationships that Schnitzler masterfully explores.
Gotthold Ephraim Lessing
Minna Von Barnhelm
"Minna Von Barnhelm" by Gotthold Ephraim Lessing is a comedy written between 1763 and 1767. Major von Tellheim, wounded and dishonorably discharged from the Prussian Army, faces financial ruin while awaiting trial over bribery allegations. When his former fiancée Minna tracks him down at a Berlin hotel, he refuses to marry her due to his circumstances. Through clever deception involving exchanged rings and feigned poverty, Minna schemes to restore both their relationship and his honor in this celebrated German theatrical work.
August von Kotzebue
Lovers' Vows
"Lovers' Vows" by August von Kotzebue and Mrs. Inchbald is a play adapted and published in 1798. When a destitute mother reunites with her soldier son, he learns the shocking truth about his birth and his father's broken promise. Meanwhile, Baron Wildenhaim faces his own romantic dilemmas with his daughter while wrestling with the guilt of his past. A desperate act brings these storylines together, forcing confrontations about honor, forgiveness, and the consequences of choices made long ago.
Frank Wedekind
Tragedies of sex
"Tragedies of sex" by Frank Wedekind is a collection of plays written in the late 19th and early 20th century. Gathering Spring’s Awakening, Earth-Spirit, Pandora’s Box, and Damnation!, it confronts sexual desire, repression, and bourgeois hypocrisy with frank, unsettling drama. The pieces focus on volatile youth and predatory or compromised adults—most notably the schoolchildren Melchior, Wendla, and Moritz, and the magnetic Lulu—to expose how authority and morality deform private life. The opening of the volume frames the author as an avant-garde provocateur and precursor to Expressionism, then launches into the first stretch of Spring’s Awakening. We meet Wendla, chafing at being forced into adult decorum; schoolboys Melchior and Moritz, who debate sex and struggle under academic pressure; and girls who reveal domestic abuse, especially Martha. Moritz secretly checks the promotion lists and, provisionally passed, swings from relief to dread. In the woods, Melchior and Wendla spar over charity and morality before a disturbing moment in which she asks to be struck and he loses control. Subsequent scenes deepen the sexual awakening and confusion: Melchior’s candid discussions with Moritz (and his tolerant mother), Wendla’s mother’s evasions about where babies come from, Hansy’s furtive self-gratification, and a charged hayloft encounter between Melchior and Wendla. A letter shows Melchior’s mother refusing to fund Moritz’s escape, urging fortitude; Wendla drifts through the garden in dazed, secretive joy; and Moritz, by the river at dusk, edges toward despair.
Gerhart Hauptmann
The Dramatic Works of Gerhart Hauptmann, Volume I
"The Dramatic Works of Gerhart Hauptmann, Volume I" by Gerhart Hauptmann is a collection of plays written during the late 19th century. This volume includes a meticulous selection of Hauptmann's significant social dramas, which explore the lives and struggles of ordinary people, particularly the working class in Silesia. The plays delve into themes of social injustice, class conflict, and the human condition, reflecting the playwright's deep social consciousness and artistic vision. The beginning of this volume introduces the playwright through a preface by Ludwig Lewisohn, detailing Hauptmann's biography, literary influences, and the significance of his work. Following this, the first act of "Before Dawn" unfolds in a rural setting, showcasing a lowly farmer's household. The scene introduces various characters including Krause, his family, and guests, revealing their interactions and social dynamics. Central to the dialogue is the presence of Alfred Loth, an idealistic engineer, who embodies the themes of disillusionment and the pursuit of social progress amid the challenges posed by both personal and societal constraints. This opening effectively sets the stage for Hauptmann's exploration of complex human relationships against the backdrop of a changing society.
Ludwig Thoma
Moral
"Moral" by Ludwig Thoma is a satirical play likely written in the early 20th century. The narrative explores themes of hypocrisy and morality through the lens of the upper class, focusing on characters like Fritz Beermann, a wealthy banker and president of a society dedicated to suppressing vice, and other bourgeois individuals who engage in debates about morality while navigating their personal lives. The opening of "Moral" introduces the main characters in an engaging social setting where discussions revolve around political aspirations and moral standards. Beermann and his peers engage in small talk, revealing layers of pretension and the absurdity of their moral positions. Through spirited dialogues, Thoma exposes the contradictions between the characters' public personas and their private actions, hinting at a scandal that intertwines their lives. The interplay of humor and critical social commentary sets the stage for a deeper exploration of the societal norms and values at play.
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