The accomplices

from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Data
Title: The accomplices
Genus: Comedy
Original language: German
Author: Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Publishing year: 1787
Premiere: January 9, 1777
Place of premiere: Lovers' theater in Weimar
Place and time of the action: an inn
people
  • Alcest
  • Sophie
  • Soeller
  • The host

The complicit is a comedy by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe . The first version was created as a one-act act between November 1768 and February 1769, the second between June and September 1769. The play was premiered on January 9, 1777 with Goethe in the role of Alcest in the Weimar Liebhabertheater. In 1787 the first print of the version revised by April 1783 was available.

content

A comedy in one act

The place of the action is an inn. Upper chamber , in Domino , breaking night in the room of a wealthy guest, opens with Dietrich a casket, it takes a greater amount of money and monologues

My father-in-law thinks I'm the night for the ball
My wife thinks so too, and I betray them all.

The thief has to hide in the alcove , because that father-in-law, the landlord himself, comes in fearfully through the next door in his dressing gown, nightcap and slippers, with a wax stick (candle with holder) . The old man is addicted to gossip and sniffs the guest's letters for novelties. Someone in woman's shoes approaches . The landlord blows out the candle, drops it and runs away. Sophie , the landlord's daughter and Söller's wife mentioned above, enters the room for a nightly rendezvous with the guest who is not present. Söller, still hidden, has to listen to what it looks like inside his wife.

This heart was cold and brittle before it softened Alcest .

Alcest, that's the name of the robber, has taken up residence in the inn because he wants to hang out with Sophie. The chances are good, Sophie inadvertently reveals to the hidden husband.

Fate will soon part us and, oh for my sins,
Do I have to, what a must! associate with a cattle.

Sophie is therefore an old friend of Alcest's and unfortunately married a cattle.

Alcest now appears and wants to ensnare Sophie. Söller, still listening, comes to the conclusion that he is a horned husband. But that's not the case: his wife changes her mind and leaves.

The next morning in the tavern, father and daughter accuse each other privately of handling Alcest's box at night. After all, eighty thalers were stolen, Alcest opened a little later to the landlord - also in private. Alcest is astonished to learn that the beautiful Sophie is supposed to be the thief. Alcest, who loves Sophie eagerly , can forgive. As a test, he prepares a suitable saying.

Madam, didn't you take the money? Well.
It is dear to me, just serve without fear
Yourself of the few; what is mine is yours too.

Unfortunately, the dialogue, so well planned, with Sophie goes completely wrong. Alcest tells Sophie the father's accusation in the face. That sounds like blackmail. Does Alcest want her to comply with his wishes? Sophie is beside herself.

My father is not afraid to rob me of my reputation.
And her, Alcest and her! You could actually believe it?

Words abruptly ended a love affair that was about to start again.

Alcest, the fine gentleman, is still reading Söller the riot act because he did not take Sophie to the masquerade ball and pulls his sword. It goes back and forth. Alcest puts his sword back in his pocket, because both opponents have dirt on their hands, Söller sums up cheekily.

I stole the Lord's money and he stole my wife from me.

Sophie is not much more noble than her father either. In front of Alcest, the father and daughter accuse each other of theft. Alcest knows better and will find the solution. Sophie, the landlord and Söller are allowed to share the nice chunk of money. Fatal, all four actors have exposed themselves through reprehensible actions and talk; stand there embarrassed.

A comedy in three acts

Dieter Borsche with Lotte Berger in The Complicity (1937)

Compared to the one-act act, everything stays the same. Only are introduced in this extension

  • characterizes acting persons
- The landlord describes his son-in-law Söller as a good-for-nothing.
- Alcest is staying in the inn at the black bear as a bon vivant
And doesn't Mr. Alcest have two rooms and the hall?
  • Actions motivate
- Alcest is staying at the inn because of Sophie.
- The landlord sniffs the letters because he is pressed for time. Alcest spoke of departure.
- The rendezvous between Sophie and Alcest will be prepared in detail.
- Söller pays gambling debts with the stolen money.

At the very end Alcest is not as generous as in the first version. He has the rest of his money returned by the thief Söller.

Remarks

Goethe mentions Doctor Faust for the first time .

Not only all too human weaknesses such as snooping, playing for money and the related money theft as well as “forbidden” love are demonstrated. No, even direct criticism of the existing society is being voiced.

Alone, you great lords, you are always right!
You only want to switch with our goods at will;
You keep no law, and should others keep it?

The young Goethe tried himself out as a theater poet .

Testimonials

"The accomplices, badly played."

- Goethe's diary, entry from January 9, 1777

"The accomplices played happily."

- Goethe's diary, entry from December 30, 1777

“I am very pleased that my own things have been given well and that they have been warmly received. ... I can say that the accomplices that I wrote almost 40 years ago in Leipzig and the more recent things into which I have concentrated the results of my life were effective in the sensual presence on a larger public. "

- Goethe's letter to Friedrich Rochlitz from 1807

“The effect of the accomplices is quite the right one. A so-called educated public wants to see itself in the theater and demands about as much from the drama as from the society. "

- Goethe's letter to Carl Friedrich Zelter from 1824

literature

Secondary literature

Film adaptations

The material was adapted four times for German television.

Radio plays

Web links