
A feverish portrait of the French Revolution erupts in this intense drama, centering on the charismatic yet conflicted deputy Georg Danton. In the opening scenes, Danton’s sharp wit and mordant love‑letter to his wife Julie reveal a man torn between personal longing and the relentless demands of a nation on fire. Around him swirl a restless cast of politicians, journalists and streetwise citizens, each delivering barbed dialogue that crackles with ideological fervor and dark humor.
The play captures the volatile atmosphere of the National Convention, where debates over justice, terror and loyalty play out amid gambling tables and whispered conspiracies. As Danton and his rivals—most notably the austere Robespierre and the impassioned Camille Desmoulins—jockey for power, the audience is drawn into a world where ideals clash with human frailty. The early act sets a compelling stage for a story of ambition, moral compromise, and the thin line between revolutionary zeal and personal ruin.
Language
de
Duration
~2 hours (127K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Release date
2004-02-01
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1813–1837
A brilliant, restless young writer whose work changed German literature long after his early death, he brought political anger, dark humor, and deep compassion to the stage. Best known for Danton's Death, Leonce and Lena, and the unfinished Woyzeck, he wrote with a force that still feels startlingly modern.
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