Minna von Barnhelm is a five-act comedy by Gotthold Ephraim Lessing. It is considered by some to be the first German national drama. Written in 1767, it is a story of love and reconciliation set against the backdrop of the Seven Years' War.
The play revolves around Minna, a Saxon noblewoman, and Major von Tellheim, a Prussian officer. Tellheim, wrongly accused of corruption, is awaiting exoneration. His honor and sense of justice prevent him from pursuing his relationship with Minna until his name is cleared. Minna, however, is a strong and independent woman who resolves to win back her love through her own clever machinations. The comedy explores themes of honor, love, pride, and the complexities of relationships in a time of war and societal upheaval.
Lessing's sharp wit and insightful portrayal of human nature have made "Minna von Barnhelm" a timeless classic of German literature.
This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you will see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work.
This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.
As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.