Cabal and love / plot overview
The plot overview of Kabale und Liebe , a drama in five acts by Friedrich Schiller (premiered on April 13, 1784 in Frankfurt am Main) gives an overview of the play, which tells of the love of the bourgeois musician's daughter Luise Miller for the noble son Ferdinand von Walter, which is destroyed by the cabal .
Scene overview, plot
| Act, scene | People, scene | action | interpretation | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| I. act exposure |
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| I, 1 | Miller and wife at home |
The Millers talk about their daughter Luise's relationship with Major Ferdinand von Walter. Miller is strictly against the relationship because it cannot become a marriage. But his wife has high hopes. | Both want only the best for their daughter. The quick-tempered ("infamous matchmaker") and quite a bit proud father ("... and that's that! My name is Miller.") Is afraid for his reputation and that of his daughter ("My house is notorious.") . In addition, he does not assume that a nobleman has good intentions per se. |
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| I, 2 | this. + Worm |
Wurm, the president's secretary, joins them. He wants to marry Luise and therefore advertises to her parents. Miller says his daughter has to choose whom to marry; because he doesn't want Wurm as a son-in-law. | Miller is short-tempered and rubs his wife over the mouth. ("Do you [woman] want to know the cello on the brain box?"; "Shut up [woman] your mouth"; "Weather mouth") | |
| I, 3 | this. + Luise |
Conversation between Luise and her father Miller. It becomes clear that he loves her, but is unhappy about her love for Ferdinand, because it cannot turn into a marriage. Luise explains that she does not want him in 'this life', but that she wants a life without class barriers, where she can stand on an equal footing with him. | Luise: "Heaven and Ferdinand are tearing at my bleeding soul" ... "that Ferdinand is mine, created for me, for the joy of the father of lovers." | |
| I, 4 | Ferdinand and Luise meet for the first time in the drama |
Ferdinand and Luise are alone together. He fiercely swears his love for her (oath of love: ... receive every wound for you ... ); Luise sees no future for her love. He promises her that he will overcome all obstacles. She complains that he awakens in her unrealizable desires. | Ferdinand is in blind or deluded love for "his" Luise. He is very dominant and possessive, with the majority of the speaking. He is superficially worried about his lover ("You are pale") and floods her with questions. The little hints from Luise bring him to reproaches. ("You are my Luise. Who tells you that you should still be something? You see, wrong, in what cold sense I have to meet you. ... And you have another cleverness besides your love? - Be ashamed!") . In his role allocation, he clearly sees himself as a protector (“I am a nobleman.… I am the president's son.”) Luise, on the other hand - shyly, with uncertain words - realistically sees problems such as the class difference: (“You want to put me to sleep, Ferdinand - want to lure my eyes away from this abyss into which I have to fall for sure. I see the future - the voice of glory - your designs - your father - my nothing ... We are separated! ") |
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| → a very unequal love | ||||
| I, 5 | President and Wurm in the President's Hall |
Wurm points out to the President that his son Ferdinand Luise Miller loves. The President does not want to admit it, but believes that a good love affair with his son shows good taste. But when Wurm makes him believe that his son really loves Luise, he decides to push ahead with his marriage to Lady Milford. | President: "Remember that when I believe once, when I believe persistently, when I am angry, I will race." | |
| I, 6 | President and Court Marshal | Court Marshal von Kalb comes to the President and greets him verbally. He informs him that the marriage of his son Ferdinand to Lady Milford is a done deal. He could tell her and anywhere in town. |
The court marshal (“in a rich but tasteless dress, with chamberlain keys, two clocks and a sword, chapeaubas and coiffed à la Hérisson”) speaks artificial and self-important. He is always anxious to look good in the prince's entourage. He is thus ridiculous, almost a figure of joke, and caricatures the court based on the French model. | |
| I, 7 | Ferdinand and President | The President tells his son that all the questionable machinations to "clear away my predecessor" were only undertaken for Ferdinand's sake. He then dissociates himself energetically from his father. He announces that he has chosen Lady Milfordal's wife for him. He refuses to marry the prince's mistress. His father then threatened him that he would break his "insubordination". | P .: "Ferdinand, I've been watching you for a while ... A strange grief broods on your face ... Let me work on your happiness and don't think about anything but playing my designs." (The P. is only superficial about his son, career is all that matters). Then the father explains that "for him" "" forever with [his] conscience and the sky crumble was "by the Way eviction of [his] predecessor". . Thereupon F. "solemnly renounces ... the inheritance" which "only reminds him of a hideous father". The father imagines his unique, “wonderful” future for him, F. “does not inspire it”. Finally the father: “I sent a card to Lady Milford on your behalf. You're going without delay convenient to go there, and tell her that you are her groom. " . The heated discussion continues. Before the P. leaves: "Boy, I tell you you will be there or flee my anger." | |
| II. Act "A Hall in the Palace of Lady Milford" |
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| II, 1 | Lady, Sophie | The noble Lady Milford reveals to her maid that she loves Ferdinand. | Lady: "Give me the man I am now thinking - whom I adore - die, Sophie, or must have." | |
| II, 2 | this. + Valet |
( "Valet scene" ) The valet who joins him says that the prince sold 7,000 young men as soldiers. Shots were fired into the protesting crowd. You, Lady Milford, are given diamonds, which the prince paid with the proceeds from the sale of the soldiers (“They pay everything!”) . The Lady disdains the “blood diamonds” (“It is better to have false jewels in your hair and the awareness of this deed in your heart.”) These precious stones are to be sold to help 400 exploited people. At the end the arrival of "Majors von Walter" is announced. |
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| II, 3 | Ferdinand + Lady | Ferdinand attacks Lady Milford sharply, but realizes that he misjudged her when she told him how she came to be the Duke's lover and how she can help many of his subjects because of this position. So he justifies his rejection of a marriage no longer with a criticism of Lady Milford, but with the admission that he loves someone else: "I love, my lady, love a middle-class girl - Luisen Millerin - a musician daughter." Lady Milford gives it Hope for a connection with him but not yet completely and tells him: “Our connection is the conversation of the whole country. All eyes, all arrows of mockery, are on me. ... fight back as best you can. - I'll have all the mines blown up. " | F (“heated”) “The Duke […] is not above honor, but he can clog your mouth with the gold. ... I am ready to trample on all of this as soon as you have convinced me that the price is no worse than the sacrifice. " And " The circumstance that brings you and me together - today and never again - compels us me not to hold back my most secret feeling from you. " | |
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Story of Lady Milford Lady Milford, actually Emilie, comes from the British nobility. Her father was executed for high treason; the mother died on the day of the execution. When she was 14, she fled to Germany penniless. One day the Duke discovered her by chance and took her off the street. As a mistress, she feels shabby. Since she was committed to the people and persecuted at court ("I blew up dungeons ...") , Ferdinand should now get her. Character self-confident, self-righteous, vain, helpful, moral. |
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| II, 4 | Miller + Frau + Luise (room at the musician's) |
When Miller learns that a servant of the president has asked about him, he is "how great" and scolds his family: " MILLER: The devil is loose and the weather is supposed to beat you. WOMAN: You can see! About me everything will come soon . MILLER: About you? Yes, blue thunderbolt, and about who else? This morning with your diabolical junker - Didn't I say that at the moment? - The worm was chatting. WOMAN: Ah what! How can you know? MILLER: How can I know that? - There! - A fellow from the minister is haunted under the front door and asks about the violinist. LUISE: I am dead . MILLER, however, also with your forget-me-not eyes! Laughs wickedly . That is correct , if the devil has laid an egg in the economy, a pretty daughter will be born " | Miller becomes extremely afraid and so forgets himself that he not only insults his wife, but also reproaches his daughter for her love for Ferdinand "full of malice". | |
| II, 5 | this. + Ferdinand |
Ferdinand arrives before the President arrives and reports that he has refused the ordered marriage to Lady Milford. Luise realizes that he has put her family in extreme danger and tries in vain to hold Ferdinand back when his father, the president, arrives. | F .: "You are mine, and hell and heaven threw themselves between us." And "I will freely choose that these insect souls swindle up the gigantic work of my love" Here lies F's tragic hubris. It will be seen that intrigue can turn his love into deadly jealousy. | |
| II, 6 | this. + President with entourage of servants. |
The arrival of the president is generally a source of horror. He tries to ask Luise about her love for Ferdinand, and F always adds his opinion about his anger. When Miller wants to expel the president from “his room”, he sends him to prison. Wife and daughter should be pilloried. | A presidential answer: “A funny imposition. The father should respect the son's whore ” . Miller remains disrespectful to his wife. Luise doesn't say much anymore. |
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| II, 7 | this. + Bailiff |
The President wants to take Luise away and have her pillory. Then it comes to a scuffle in which Ferdinand injures some court ushers with his sword. After several desperate attempts to dissuade his father from his plan, in the end he threatened him that he would tell "how to become president" in the residence. | President: "The gallows are still empty." Ferdinand tries everything before he decides to morally destroy his father: " I left no human means untried. - I have to go to a devilish one ." |
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| III. Act The Cabal (Intrigue) |
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| III, 1 | President, Wurm (room with the President) |
The president and his secretary state that they apparently cannot separate Ferdinand from Luise by threatening them. Wurm has an idea how to solve the "problem" through an intrigue ("cabal"): Luise is blackmailed by the arrest of her parents to write a fictitious love letter to the court marshal; Ferdinand is supposed to find this letter by chance and become so jealous that he renounces her. | Wurm: “Suppress the fact that you are a father for a while. ... Make him suspicious of the girl - ... A grain of yeast is enough to drive the whole mass into a destructive fermentation. " The intrigue (worm :) " We dictate a billetdoux to a third person into the pen and play it with good Art in the hands of the major. ” In addition, the Millers must swear as an oath that the letter is voluntary. An oath, according to Wurm, “ does n't work” “with us, my lord. With this kind of people [= commoners] everything. " |
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| III, 2 | President and Court Marshal | The President tells the court marshal about the plan. After discussion, the latter agrees to provide his name. | The figure of the marshal at court is marked by his artificial, exuberant demeanor. He doesn't understand why F. couldn't want Lady M. The P. explains Ferdinand threat: "The fact that he wanted to discover the world the crime, which we have increased - that he give our false letters and receipts - that he would deliver us both to the knife - He can respond." . The plan is in the words of the father: "To divide the major with his lover." | |
| III, 3 |
The president and worm. Wurm: “The violinist and his wife are happy and arrested without any noise. Will Your Excellency read the letter over now? ” President (after reading): “ Wonderful! wonderful, secretary! The marshal took a bite too! - A poison like that would have to transform the health itself into festering leprosy - Now with the suggestions to the father, and then warm to the daughter. " (Go to different pages.) |
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| III, 4 | Luise and Ferdinand in Miller's apartment |
Discussion by Ferdinand and Luise. Luise is desperate because of her situation. She worries about her poor father and fears the curse of Ferdinand's father, "which even murderers never utter without hearing". In order to escape the "vengeance of heaven", she would rather do without Ferdinand than flee with him and wishes him "farewell". Ferdinand, on the other hand, is more blind with love than ever: he wants to flee with her, ignoring all problems. He doesn't go into the lover at all, but runs over her with long speeches (Luise only speaks individual sentences). Eventually, he suspects her of having a lover. |
Beginning: L .: “I beg you, stop. I don't believe in happy days anymore. All my hopes have sunk. ” Q .: “ So mine have risen. ... " L .: " Break off! " ... F .: " My fatherland is where my Luise loves me. " L .: " So be silent and leave me - I have a father who has no fortune as this only daughter ... [who is certain of] the President's vengeance. ” F .: “ We are fleeing. ” L .: “ And your father's curse after us… ” L .: “ I am the criminal. ” L. “… [suppressing tears. ] You shouldn't see me anymore. ... [By giving him her trembling hand with her face averted.] Farewell, Herr von Walter. " F .: " Snake, you are lying. You are captivated by something different here. " L .: " [suffering]: Stick to this assumption - it might make you less miserable. " |
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| III, 5 | Luise (short monologue) |
At home alone, Luise worries about her parents, who should have come. Worm appears in the background. | "Where my parents stay." ... "Why is my breath so anxious?" | |
| III, 6 | Luise and Wurm | Wurm comes closer unexpectedly, explains that he comes from her father and then reports that her father is in the tower, where the death penalty awaits him, and that her mother is in the " spinning house ". In order not to lose her parents, she makes herself dependent on Wurm, who can therefore demand a love letter from her to Hofmarschall von Kalb (“as a means”); she also swears she wrote the letter willingly. | At first, Wurm only made brief suggestions. Because of his “knowledge of domination” and at the same time the scarcity of information, he makes Luise dependent. Luise, on the other hand, who reveals her emotions and says everything that goes through her head (interrogatives, imperatives, swear words) becomes a victim because of her fear. Wurm increases his pressure by pretending to want to leave or to stop. - Luise gives in to the pressure, but not without telling Wurm in the face that she "strangled him on the bridal night" if he would marry her. |
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| IV. Act Hall at the President |
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| IV, 1 |
Hall with the President. Ferdinand von Walter, an open letter in hand, storms through one door, a valet through another. Ferdinand: "Wasn't there a marshal?" Chamberlain: "Major, the President is asking about you." Ferdinand: "All thunders! I ask, was there no marshal there? ”The valet:“ The gentleman is sitting up at the pharotable. ” Ferdinand:“ The gracious gentleman should come in the name of the whole of hell. ” (The valet leaves.) |
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| IV, 2 | Ferdinand alone | His monologue after reading the letter forced on Luise: At first he doubts that Luise cheated on him. But because he recognizes her handwriting, he comes back to his suspicion that the only reason why she didn't want to run away with him was because she loved someone else. | "It is not possible. Not possible. This heavenly shell does not hide such a devilish heart - and yet! but! ... it is her hand - an unheard-of, monstrous deception, the likes of which mankind has never experienced! - So that was why people so persistently resisted the escape! - Therefore - oh God! now I wake up, now everything is revealed to me! - ... to fathom me so completely! ... to calculate myself in a tear - to accompany me on every yawning peak of passion, to meet me before every dizzying crash - ... and all that nothing but a grimace? ... Oh, if the lie has such a durable color, how did it come about that no devil still lied into the kingdom of heaven? ... With what triumphant dignity she struck the cheeky scorn of my father to the ground ... did not she endure the ordeal of the truth herself - the hypocrite sinks into a swoon. ... She knows what she made of me. She saw my whole soul. My heart visibly entered my eyes when the first kiss blushed - and she felt nothing? Perhaps just felt the triumph of her art? ... death and revenge! Nothing but that I am betrayed? " | |
| IV, 3 | F. + Court Marshal | Ferdinand lets the court marshal read the letter while he fetches two pistols from the wall. By putting a pistol on his chest, he asks the court marshal how far he had come with Luise. He insists that he does not know Luise and Ferdinand sends him away.
He wanted to duel with the court marshal, but in view of his fearful declaration that he knew nothing about Luise, the court marshal Ferdinand appears so unworthy that he considers it beneath his dignity to kill him. He thinks it is impossible for the court marshal to tell the truth. |
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| IV, 4 | Ferdinand alone | Second monologue, he thinks he must take revenge on Luise, and says to God: "The girl is mine." For his revenge, he is ready to suffer eternal damnation together with Luise. | ||
| IV, 5 | Ferdinand and President | In order to drive his son's desperation and his anger against Luise to the extreme, the President tactically says that his condemnation of Luise was hasty and that Ferdinand could marry her. Ferdinand rushes out. | President: Acts kindly and kindly | |
| IV, 6 | Lady + Sophie "very magnificent hall with the lady" |
Sophie sees through Lady Milford, she gets angry about it. Finally Luise is announced as “Mamsell Millerin”. | Lady: “ (up and down full of bitterness) Cursed! Unbearable! That women have such lynx eyes for weak women! - But how deep (...) must I have sunk for such a creature to fathom me. " | |
| IV, 7 | Lady Milford and Luise Millerin | The lady tries to demonstrate superiority to Luise and offers her Sophie's job because she is going to get married. Luise refuses and manages to convince the lady of her love for Ferdinand. | Luise proves to be superior. She loves Ferdinand unselfishly and feels - wrongly - secure in his love. | |
| IV, 8 | Lady alone (monologue) |
Lady Milford is very upset that her desire to connect with Ferdinand appears to be driving her rival to her death. Therefore she decides to renounce Ferdinand and to break with the prince. | Lady "alone, stands shaken and beside herself, staring at the door ..." (director) | |
| IV, 9 | Lady, a valet, Sophie, then the court marshal; Servants | Lady Milford writes a card to break away from the prince and flee. The court marshal should deliver these to the prince, as she fears his revenge. She gives away her jewelry to the employees. Then she leaves the country. | Milford's last words close the scene: “I will work for the day's wages, to cleanse myself of the rant for having mastered him.” She hurries away, the others are “moved”. | |
| V act (last act) "in the evening between the light, in a room with the musicians." |
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| V, 1 | Miller, Luise | Miller learns of his daughter's suicidal intentions and manages to dissuade her by warning her that this is the worst sin because she cannot be repented. Thereupon she tears up her farewell letter to Ferdinand. |
(Miller: “Do you want to dare to lie before the All-Knowing Throne: Because of you, Creator, I am here! When your punishable eyes seek their mortal doll? - And when this fragile god of your brain, now worm like you, at your feet your judge's writhing, your ungodly confidence belies this wavering moment, and your betrayed hopes refer to the eternal mercy which the wretched can hardly plead for himself - how then? [...] When your major's kisses burn hotter than your father's tears - die! ")
Miller shows Luise that with this letter she is guilty not only of her own condemnation, but also of that of her lover. This is of course not entirely unselfish, because if she does not die, she will stay with her father. |
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| V, 2 | this., + Ferdinand | Luise is shocked by Ferdinand's appearance and fears the worst. This pretends to want to lead her in front of the wedding altar. However, in an argument with Miller, he is told to leave. Luise affirms Ferdinand's question as to whether she really wrote the letter to the court marshal. Ferdinand asks her to prepare a glass of lemonade. | ||
| V, 3 | Ferdinand and Miller | Miller becomes friendlier and expresses compassion for Ferdinand. The conversation comes to the beginning of the acquaintance, the flute lesson. Miller goes to check on the lemonade. | ||
| V, 4 | Ferdinand alone (monologue) |
Ferdinand wrestles again with his murder plans, but decides to implement them now. ("And I still deserve thanks for crushing the adder before it injures my father.") | ||
| V, 5 | Ferdinand and Miller | Ferdinand would like to reward Miller for the hours of flute lessons given. When he sees that there are a lot of gold pieces, he is hesitant at first, but then wants to use the money for his daughter's education. | ||
| V, 6 | this., + Luise | Luise brings in the glass of lemonade. Ferdinand asks Miller to walk for him and hand his father a letter. Luise is appalled to be alone with Ferdinand right away. Miller leaves the house while Ferdinand pours poison into the glass. | ||
| V, 7 | Ferdinand and Luise | Ferdinand and Luise drink from the poisoned lemonade. Luise dies in this scene, but admits beforehand that she was forced to write the letter and that Ferdinand's father is behind everything. | Ferdinand: "The lemonade is dull like your soul - try!" ; Luise: "I don't lie - don't lie - I've only lied once in my life - [...] - when I wrote the letter to the court marshal." - "My hand wrote what condemned my heart - your father dictated it." | |
| V, 8 Final scene |
F., Pres., Worm; Servants; Miller, people, bailiff, Luise's body | The President, Wurm, and everyone else involved storm into the room. Shortly before his death, Ferdinand shakes his father's hand and dies next to Luise. President and Wurm are taken away. | The President sees the fact that Ferdinand has shaken his hand as a sign that his son has forgiven him. Because of his shock over what he has done with his intrigue, he is ready to face judgment. | |
Web links
Wikisource: Cabal and Love - Sources and full texts
Wikiquote: Cabal and Love - Quotes
