Golo und Genoveva

Golo und Genoveva, a play (Schauspiel in fünf Aufzügen) by F. Müller first published in Werke (ed. L. Tieck) in 1811. Two scenes were published separately in 1776, Genoveva im Turm (iv, 6) and Die Pfalzgräfin Genoveva (v. 11).

The work is approximately twice as long as normal stage plays and contains, in addition to three songs, two short passages of verse. Its fragmented structure (52 scenes in five acts) is typical of the Sturm und Drang. Genoveva, left at home by her husband Siegfried, becomes the victim of a diabolical intrigue between Golo, who desires her, and Mathilde, a Lady Macbeth-like character. Genoveva withstands Golo, and is sent into the forest to be murdered; but the would-be assassins relent and release her. She survives in the forest, and is reunited four years later with Siegfried. Golo dies by throwing himself upon the avenger's sword.