Magda: A Play in Four Acts

by Hermann Sudermann

Hermann Sudermann (1857 - 1928) dominated the German stage for nearly a quarter century, and was considered one of the greatest figures in contemporary German literature. He studied philosophy and history at Konigsberg University, and continued to write right up to his death, his last play appearing in 1925 and his last novel in 1928. Sudermann achieved surprising success in passing from novel-writing to dramatic authorship. He had a style of utmost distinction, and was well skilled in technique.

Genres: Drama

164 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1911

About the author

Educated at Koningsberg University and the University of Berlin, Sudermann had to give up his studies because of financial difficulties. He worked for a time as a tutor before becoming a journalist in Bern, Switzerland. He returned to Germany in 1881 and became the editor of the Deutsches Reichsblatt. Thereafter, he devoted himself to writing. In 1886, he published Zweilicht, his first novel, and followed in 1887 with Frau Sorge, which was critically acclaimed. His first drama, Die Ehre, or The Honour appeared in 1889 and was enormously successful. Sudermann also produced a number of short stories. His other works include Geschwister (1888), Der Katzensteg (1890), Sodoms Ende (1891), Die Heimat (1893), Morituri (1896), Es Lebe das Leben! (1902), Es War (1904) and Stein unter Steinen (1905).

Reviews

[Manuel Alfonseca · Rating 2 out of 5]

ESPAÑOL: Esta es la segunda vez que veo esta obra, esta vez en el archivo de Estudio-1. Se trata de una obra claramente influida por Casa de muñecas de Ibsen, que se estrenó 14 años antes, pero en este caso el enfrentamiento no es entre una mujer y su marido, sino entre un padre y su hija.

ENGLISH: This is the second time I've watched this play, this time in the Estudio-1 archive. This play was clearly influenced by Ibsen's A Doll's House, which premiered 14 years earlier, but in this case the confrontation is not between a woman and her husband, but between a father and his daughter.

[Francesco Iorianni · Rating 4 out of 5]

Die damals verstoßene Tochter kehrt nun als bekannte Sängerin zurück in die Heimat und wird im ersten Moment von der Familie mit offenen Armen begrüßt. Doch den häuslichen Sitten entsprechend, muss Magda sich dem ehrenvollen Vater stellen, der ihr lasterhaftes Leben in der Fremde erahnt und nicht damit im Reinen sein kann. Ein Kampf zwischen Gewissensfragen und der Freiheit eines Menschen. Sudermann zeigt in seinem Drama die Doppelmoral einer bürgerlichen Familie um 1900, die lieber die eigene Reinheit beschützen möchte, als sich einer angeblich anrüchigen Tochter anzunehmen.