The Hagestolz (Turgenew)
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| Title: | The Hagestolz |
| Original title: | Холостяк |
| Genus: | drama |
| Original language: | Russian |
| Author: | Ivan Turgenev |
| Publishing year: | 1849 |
| Premiere: | October 14, 1849 |
| Place of premiere: | Alexandrinsky Theater , St. Petersburg |
| Place and time of the action: | St. Petersburg |
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The Hagestolz ( Russian Холостяк , German also The Bachelor ) is a drama in three acts by Ivan Turgenew . It was printed in the Otetschestvennye Sapiski in 1849 . The stage premiere took place on October 14, 1849 in the Alexandrinsky Theater in St. Petersburg. The focus of the piece is a broken marriage vows and its consequences. It was Turgenev's first play to be performed.
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first act
A man appears at Moschkin's house in St. Petersburg who turns out to be Shpunjdik, a childhood friend in the provinces whom Moschkin has not seen for 20 years. Moschkin invites him to stop for lunch, in honor of the engagement between Mascha (an orphan he has taken in and whom he values as his own daughter) and Wilizky, a young colleague for whom he has similar paternal feelings cherishes.
Wilizky arrives and has his (German-born) friend von Fonk with him, who is cold and decent. Moschkin does a lot to get Fonk's goodwill. He explains to him how lucky he is because of the upcoming wedding of his two protégés.
But Fonk, who holds a high administrative post, can hardly hide his contempt for the modest house and the low level of education of his host. Mascha and her aunt, Prjaschkina, arrive as the last guests. During the meal the atmosphere is oppressive; Fonk intimidates everyone with his questions and seems to be particularly critical of Mascha.
Second act
Five days later in Wilitsky's apartment. Wilizky is hiding at home, as the “cursed lunch” at Moschkin had made him realize that Mascha might not be the right woman for him. He still pretends to love her, but Fonk, who has meanwhile arrived at his place, confirms his doubts. Fonk's opinion is extremely important to Wilizky. For rational reasons, the latter advises him against marrying such a destitute girl as Mascha, since it obstructs him from making more far-reaching acquaintances who would help him in his career: "Belonging to good society can with the Lead time to the possibility of a brilliant game, especially if one is without followers and does not have to drag unsuitable family relationships with them ”(p. 62 in the edition of Wildhagen). Wilizky is ready to withdraw from the wedding.
When Mascha visits him shortly afterwards to find out what's going on with her fiancé, he pushes around, also because Fonk has not left the house, but is hiding in the next room. Finally Masha goes home again. Shortly afterwards, Fonk also leaves. Then Moschkin appears to convince Wilizky. He agrees to come to Mascha and speak to her.
Third act
Another week later. Moschkin complained to Schpunjdik that Wilizky had only appeared briefly twice since the debate. This bad sign is confirmed in an incoming letter in which Wilizky finally canceled the marriage. Moschkin immediately rushes to him to confront him, but he has left and has been denied.
When Masha finds out about this, she is quite composed and discusses the consequences. She explains that as a marriageable woman, due to this public embarrassment, she can no longer stay in her benefactor's house because they are not related. Moschkin is dismayed because he would like to let Masha continue to live with him. The only way out seems to him to be to ask for her hand. He and Mascha are initially surprised by this spontaneous idea. But that would give her status and stay with him. She accepts and the piece ends with Moschkin's calls of joy.
Full text
- the piece in the original Russian on Wikisource
expenditure
Ivan Turgenev: The Hagestolz. Comedy in three acts. German by Kurt Wildhagen . In: Selected Writings. Mixed writings II / Scenes and Comedies II. Berlin: Propylaen-Verlag 1931. pp. 1–139.