Kabale und Liebe

Kabale und Liebe, a tragedy (Ein bürgerliches Trauerspiel in fünf Aufzügen) written by Schiller in 1782-3, published in 1784, and performed in the same year on 13 April at Frankfurt/Main and on 15 April, in Schiller's presence, at Mannheim. Schiller's original title was Luise Millerin, and the present title was suggested by A. W. Iffland early in 1784. The action deals with two unhappy lovers separated by class, and the setting is a despotic state in Schiller's own day.

Ferdinand von Walter, the son of the all-powerful minister (Präsident), and Luise Miller, a musician's daughter, are in love, but the Präsident plans to marry his son to the Prince's mistress, Lady Milford. Ferdinand resists, and his love-affair and intended marriage to a commoner become public. A diabolical plot by the Präsident and his helper Wurm provides Ferdinand with false evidence (written under compulsion by Luise herself) of her infidelity. He poisons her. As she dies, she discloses the machinations of the Präsident and Wurm to Ferdinand, who commits suicide to die with her. The Präsident and Wurm, overwhelmed by the catastrophe, submit to justice. Lady Milford, disgusted at the corruption of the court, and frustrated at her efforts to achieve virtue, leaves the principality. Kabale und Liebe is Schiller's most realistic play, with dialogue which in places is startlingly lifelike. It is also one of his most tautly constructed pieces, and has some affinity (not coincidental) with Lessing's Emilia Galotti (see also Bürgerliches Trauerspiel). It was made into an opera by Gottfried von Einem (first performed in 1975).