Sturm und Drang (play)

The play was first performed in Leipzig on 1 April 1777 by Abel Seyler's theatre company, where Klinger then was employed as a playwright.

At that time he was already a well-known playwright; the year before, he had won a prize of 20 Louis d'or from the Ackermannschen Theatertruppe for his tragedy Die Zwillinge (de).

More important than this evidence of enthusiasm for Shakespeare and other authors, however, is the title Sturm und Drang itself, which soon became the watchword for an artistic movement.

The trio stop at an inn; staying there also are the party of the aged Lord Berkley, his sister Lady Kathrin, his daughter Jenny Caroline, and their servant Louise.

Berkley, ten years earlier, lost his estate through the actions of his enemies; he suspects that the mastermind is his former friend, Lord Bushy.

For her part, Caroline instantly recognizes Wild as her childhood sweetheart, Karl Bushy, the son and heir of her father's arch-enemy!

In fact, the "dead" man suddenly appears, forgives his adversaries, and insists that he did not participate in the conspiracy against Berkley!

The old and the young Berkley hesitantly accept the offer of reconciliation, so deeply sits the hatred of long years.

However, as a backdrop, the colonists' violent rebellion is reminiscent of the kind of passionate individual expression celebrated by the Sturm und Drang movement.

A young man, who calls himself Wild, but who is the son of that Bushy, comes with two friends [...] How and why he came there; how and where he knew Berkley's daughter, with whom he is in love; and yet without knowing that her father and she are there; that is not said in the whole piece.

"[4]...aber wie kan ein Stük bei einem solchen Plane erträglich genant werden?

Der Sohn kömt als Schifkapitän wieder, und wird von seinem Vater erkant.