Otto

Otto, a tragedy (Trauerspiel) by F. M. Klinger, written in 1774 and published in 1775. Klinger's first work, it is an imitation of Goethe's Götz von Berlichingen and likewise uses motifs from Shakespeare. Its five acts are divided into numerous short scenes. The incoherent plot concerns an attempt by the wicked Bishop Adelbert to overthrow Duke Friedrich by poisoning the latter's mind against his son Karl, and so causing a civil war, from which Adelbert will profit in territory and power. The Otto of the title is one of the Duke's knights whom Adelbert alienates from his lord by false report. Duke Friedrich is killed by Adelbert's poison, Otto kills himself when he discovers Adelbert's treachery. Karl survives and undertakes to avenge his father. In a minor plot Adelbert wantonly causes the death of his honest counsellor von Hungen at the hands of the Inquisition.