Gottsched und Gellert

Gottsched und Gellert, a five-act comedy by H. Laube, first performed at Dresden in October 1845, published in 1847. Laube describes it as a comedy of character (Charakterlustspiel). The play is set in Leipzig towards the end of the Seven Years War (see Siebenjähriger Krieg). Both Gottsched and Gellert find themselves in difficulties with the occupying Prussian army, and are extricated by the arrival of Prince Heinrich of Prussia, who is particularly well disposed towards Gellert. The essential character of the piece is the contrast between the unassuming Gellert and the arrogant Gottsched.