The Robbers
The Robbers
Book Brief
480
Play • Fiction
Germany • 18th century
1781
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
Published in 1781, The Robbers by Friedrich Schiller follows aristocratic brothers Karl and Franz Moor as Franz schemes to usurp Karl's inheritance, leading Karl to become an outlaw leader while navigating family betrayal and moral dilemmas. The play influenced European melodrama and is notable in works like Dostoyevsky's The Brothers Karamazov. This play contains themes of violence, betrayal, and death.
Dark
Mysterious
Emotional
Melancholic
Challenging
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Friedrich Schiller's The Robbers captivates with its exploration of freedom, justice, and sibling rivalry, offering a poignant critique of societal corruption. Praised for its intense emotional depth and complex characters, it occasionally struggles with melodramatic elements and lengthy monologues. Nevertheless, it remains a powerful and influential work in German literature.
Who Should Read The Robbers?
A reader who enjoys The Robbers by Friedrich Schiller is likely captivated by intense emotional drama and revolutionary ideals. Fans of Goethe's The Sorrows of Young Werther or Hugo's Les Misérables will appreciate its exploration of brotherhood, justice, and rebellion. Schiller's nuanced characters and moral dilemmas engage readers interested in Romantic and Sturm und Drang literature.
The Robbers marked Friedrich Schiller's first play, premiering in 1782, when Schiller was just 22 years old, catapulting him to fame within the German literary scene.
The play was initially banned in several regions, including Schiller's hometown of Württemberg, due to its controversial themes and rebellious spirit, which resonated with the Sturm und Drang literary movement.
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The Robbers inspired a young William Wordsworth, leading him and his friends to stage a private performance of the play at the University of Cambridge.
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480
Play • Fiction
Germany • 18th century
1781
Adult
18+ years
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