Emilia Galotti: A Tragedy in Five Acts [Paperback]

Gotthold Ephraim Lessing (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback: 82 pages
• Publisher: Mary S Rosenberg (April 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 091732417X
• ISBN-13: 978-0917324178
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.4 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,686,359 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Lessing's Tragedy has new Life, October 14, 2005

By 

Steven W. Bouler (Winona, MN, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Emilia Galotti: A Tragedy in Five Acts (Paperback)

A recent NY Times review of a German production of this play proved that it is hardly a mere enlightenment museum piece. Vibrant and alive with contradictory impulses, this play finds currency with the inherent hypocrisy of those in power finding ways to abuse it under the veneer of family values. This play should not only be read, it should be performed!

3 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Tragedy in the Enlightement: Lessing's portrayal., October 24, 2000

By 

Mark Sturgis (Rock Hill, S.C.) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Emilia Galotti: A Tragedy in Five Acts (Paperback)

G.E. Lessing's play Emilia Galotti brings to its readers a direct portrayal of literary aspects of the Enlightenment( Die Aufklarung). This tragedy in five acts gives insight into classe relations, moral integrity of the upperclass, and the relationship of men to women during this time. The play also follows along many of the dramatic principles associated with the beginning of the Enlightenment period and the changes that Lessing was developing towards the end of the literary period. The tragedy of this play follows a very Shakespearian development and conclusion(death!). However in the play's progress some points of the drama seem very contrived and tend to remove the audience from the reality of the drama that Lessing wished to present.Yet the play flows with relative ease and the majority of characters are seemingly believable. This is a play of interrest not only because of its historical relevance but also because of the enthralling tragedy that the play accomplishes in its five acts. Enjoy!