Subject
Russian drama -- Translations into German Books
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Nikolai Vasilevich Gogol
Sämmtliche Werke 5: Dramatische Werke
"Sämmtliche Werke 5: Dramatische Werke" by Nikolai Vasilevich Gogol is a collection of dramatic works written in the early 19th century. This volume includes the famous comedy "Der Revisor" ("The Government Inspector"), which explores themes of bureaucracy, corruption, and human folly. The story revolves around a government inspector who is mistaken for an important official, leading to a series of comical and absurd situations among the local officials of a small Russian town. The opening portion of "Der Revisor" sets the stage in a provincial city, where the local police chief and various officials are in a state of panic over the unexpected arrival of an inspector from Petersburg. Antón Antónowitsch Skwósnik-Dmuchánowski, the police chief, gathers his subordinates to discuss the potential consequences of this visit. They worry about their own misdeeds being discovered and scramble to cover up their incompetence and corruption, believing that the inspector is already among them, incognito. As tension builds among the officials, the audience is introduced to their bumbling personalities and schemes, foreshadowing the chaos that will ensue.
Leo Tolstoy
Das Licht leuchtet in der Finsternis: Drama in vier Aufzügen
"Das Licht leuchtet in der Finsternis: Drama in vier Aufzügen" by graf Leo Tolstoy is a dramatic work written during the late 19th century. This uncompleted play delves into the inner struggles of its characters, particularly focusing on Nikolai Iwanowitsch Sarynzew, a wealthy landowner who fervently desires to live by Christian principles by giving away his possessions to the poor. The narrative explores the tension between idealism and the harsh realities of life, highlighting themes of social responsibility and personal conflict. The opening of the drama introduces the reader to the domestic life of Sarynzew's family and their concerns regarding his increasingly radical ideas. His wife, Maria, and her sister express worry about his detachment from family duties and his obsessive commitment to a Christian lifestyle that disregards their practical needs. Through conversations among family members and visits from local clergy, the audience grasps the escalating tension between Sarynzew's ideals and the expectations of his family. This tension sets the stage for exploring broader social issues, particularly the divide between the wealthy and the poor, and the moral dilemmas faced by those who consider their ethical obligations to others.
Leo Tolstoy
Der lebende Leichnam: Drama in sechs Akten (zwölf Bildern)
"Der lebende Leichnam: Drama in sechs Akten (zwölf Bildern)" by graf Leo Tolstoy is a drama likely written in the late 19th century. The play explores complex themes of love, betrayal, and societal expectations, particularly through the characters of Fjodor Wasiljewitsch Protasow (Fedja), his wife Jelisaweta Andrejewna Protasowa (Lisa), and their struggles with relationships and personal freedom. The opening of the drama introduces us to the Protasow family in Moscow, focusing initially on Lisa's mother, Anna Pawlowna, who expresses concern about Lisa's emotional turmoil resulting from her strained marriage to Fedja. The dialogue reveals the struggle within their domestic life, highlighting conflicts about love, infidelity, and the possibility of divorce. As the scene unfolds, both Lisa and Anna Pawlowna grapple with the implications of separation and the existence of another potential suitor, Viktor Karenin, who still holds feelings for Lisa. The stage is set for a gripping exploration of the characters’ interpersonal dynamics and the societal pressures they face as the narrative progresses.
Aleksandr Sergeyevich Griboyedov
Verstand schafft Leiden: Schauspiel in vier Akten
"Verstand schafft Leiden: Schauspiel in vier Akten" by Griboyedov is a comedy written between 1822 and 1824. When the worldly Tschatzkij returns to Moscow after three years abroad, he finds his childhood love Sophie enamored with another man. As he encounters old acquaintances at a society ball, his sharp wit and progressive ideas clash with traditional values. A vengeful whisper sparks a devastating rumor that spreads through the gathering, transforming social comedy into personal tragedy.
D. I. (Denis Ivanovich) Fonvizin
Der Landjunker: Lustspiel in fünf Aufzügen
"Der Landjunker: Lustspiel in fünf Aufzügen" by Denis Von-Wisin is a comedy written in the late 18th century. The play presents a satirical view of Russian gentry life, exposing the absurdities and flaws in their characters as it unfolds through the everyday occurrences of a rural household. The main characters include Prostakow, his domineering wife Frau Prostakowa, their son Mitrofan, and Starodum, Sophie’s uncle, who becomes pivotal in the unfolding narrative. The opening of the play introduces us to the Prostakow family as they prepare for an engagement, highlighting the dysfunction in their relationships and the struggles of young Mitrofan. Frau Prostakowa berates Trischka, the tailor, for making her son's suit too tight, revealing her overbearing personality, while prostakow struggles to assert himself against her wrath. Amidst the comedic bickering and chaos, we learn about Sophie, a young woman living under the care of the Prostakows, whose situation becomes more complicated with the return of her uncle Starodum, suggesting impending tensions regarding her future. The dialogue showcases the humorous dynamics among the characters, setting the stage for the conflicts and commentary on social norms that will follow in this lively satire of Russian aristocracy.
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