DER HOFMEISTER

Der Hofmeister: translation

   Oder Die Vorteile der Privaterziehung

(The Tutor, or the Advantages of a Private Education) by Jakob Michael Reinhold Lenz.

   Premiered 1778. Lenz wrote one of the few "comedies" of the Sturm und Drang (Storm and Stress) movement, though this play is not a recognizably humorous treatment of the harm some private tutors may inflict on the families they serve. The title character is Läuffer, whom Major von Berg has hired to tutor his son. The major's daughter, Gusti, becomes the real object of Läuffer's presence in the von Berg household, though it takes him two years to complete his conquest of her. She is in love with her cousin Fritz von Berg, and he initially represents an obstacle to the consummation of Läuffer's desires. Läuffer finally overcomes all obstacles and seduces Gusti; she becomes pregnant. She bears his child in secret and tries to drown herself. When Läufer receives the (false) report that Gusti has died, he repents of his wrongdoing and castrates himself. Major von Berg finds Gusti alive in a forest cottage with her child and brings her back to the family home, where she finds Fritz still in love with her and they plan to marry. Meantime the castrated Läuffer—now convinced that he has overcome his lustful desires—has fallen in love with another young girl and marries her.