Emperor Paul's death

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Data
Title: Emperor Paul's death
Original title: Павел I
Genus: drama
Original language: Russian
Author: Dmitri Mereschkowski
Publishing year: 1908
Premiere: 1917
Place and time of the action: St. Petersburg, 1801

Emperor Paul's Death ( Russian Павел I , literally Paul I ) is a 1908 tragedy in five acts by Dmitri Mereschkowski . Together with the novels Alexander I (1912) and The Fourteenth December (1918) the drama forms the trilogy "The Empire of the Beast".

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first act

First picture

Tsar Paul I harassed his troops over the smallest of things. A sergeant is beaten to death because his wig is said to be two inches too short. Alexander and Constantine (Paul's two sons) and the military are desperate. To appease their father, the sons bring him a letter from Princess Gagarin. Paul is in love with her and her lines soothe him and make him nullify all of the day's penalties.

Second picture

In a conversation with his wife Elisabeth, Alexander makes it clear that he does not intend to become emperor. He raves about the writings of Rousseau and Voltaire, just like his grandmother, Catherine II. - His father Paul appears and rebukes him for his readings; after all, philosophical freedom led to the overthrow of the French monarchy and the murder of the king there. After Paul has resigned, the military governor Count Pahlen appears . He is one of the conspirators who want to depose Paul and enthrone Alexander in his place, but Alexander hesitates. His wife Elisabeth also urges him to act.

Second act

At a concert evening, Paul openly appears with his lover Anna. Count Pahlen is talking to Paul's wife, Maria Feodorovna. According to newspaper reports, Paul would like to take on all other rulers of Europe in view of the raging Revolutionary Wars. At the same time a messenger arrives from Paris, who gives Paul the impression that France has “come to its senses”, since the people now worshiped the new ruler Napoleon instead of the ideal of freedom - equality - fraternity. The Jesuit Father Gruber in turn tries to convince Paul to recognize the power of the Pope, to which Paul angrily replies that he is the Russian "Caesar Pope", the "Tsar priest". To demonstrate his power, he has his new coronation cloak put on. All of these contradicting events are observed by the bystanders. Maria Feodorovna wants to turn on Rogerson's personal physician because she is worried about her husband's mental state. Due to a false alarm, armed troops arrive at the palace. In an interview with Paul, his soldiers swear absolute loyalty to him.

Third act

Paul arrested his sons and had them renew their oath of loyalty. Count Pahlen reports on the declarations of war against five or six European powers as well as Paul's order to conquer India and wrest it from the English. Everyone is convinced that Paul has gone crazy. Paul seeks an interview with Count Pahlen. The latter admits to being the head of the conspiracy against him, but only so that he can stop the conspirators. He presents Paul with a list of the conspirators, including the tsar's sons. Pahlen succeeds in obtaining authority from Paul to protect his life. Immediately after this conversation, Pahlen meets with Alexander, whom he assures that his father wants to have him shot. With reference to Paul's irrationality and despotism, he forces the hesitant Alexander to sign a manifesto announcing the abdication of the tsar and his own accession to the throne.

Fourth act

First picture

More than 40 conspirators have gathered in General Talysin's apartment. After heated discussions about the merits of absolute self-rule by the tsar and rule based on a constitution, Talysin reads out the declaration of renunciation that they want to submit to the tsar for signature. A discussion ensues about what to do if Paul does not sign it. With the cry “Death to the tyrant!” A majority is formed for the murder of the tsar.

Second picture

Paul and his lover Anna Gagarin met in their room. Paul revels in childhood memories and curses his son Alexander for his betrayal. But he trusts in the loyalty of his troops and also in Count Pahlen. He disregards Anna's warnings.

Fifth act

First picture

The conspirators surprise Paul in his bedchamber and present him with a declaration of renunciation. But Paul refuses to sign. Eventually he is strangled with his own sash.

Second picture

Paul has been beaten up by the conspirators. Alexander finds out from his mother, who has secretly sneaked into her husband's body. Alexander is paralyzed, but is forced by Count Pahlen to put on a good face and to exclaim in front of the people: "His Majesty the Emperor has died ... with me everything is like with grandmother ..." (i.e. like with Catherine II. ) the Metropolitan Ambrosius him blessing, but he is still insane and must be led by the hurray-shouts of the troops of the conspirators from the square.

Full text

expenditure

DS Mereschkowski: Emperor Paul's death. Tragedy in five acts. German by August Scholz . Berlin: J. Ladyschnikow Verlag 1908.

Individual evidence