Omaha daily bee., 1909-04-04
LATEST DRAMA OF KAUFMAN
German Author MystIAes Even Ber-
lin with His Modernity.

German Author MystIAes Even Ber-
lin with His Modernity.
Gerhardt Hauptmann, the German
dramatlst, who promised so much in his
earlier works, has not kept his light shin
ing so brightly as to illumine a clear path
through the mists of modern uncertainty.
Or may be. he has gone so far ahead of
the rest of us that we are only able to
dimly discover the light through the
gloom that separates us from the distance
he has achieved. At any rate, his latest
play, "Griselda,' which had its premier
in Berlin on March 6 did not overioy the
critics who wrote for the press OF the
German capital. This new work Is a treat
meut of the legend OF patient feminine
devotion that was introduced into literature
by Petrarch. In manner it is distinctly of
that ultra-modernity which flourishes so
rankly In Berlin. Its love story has been
developed from the simple outlines OF the
old tradition into an elaborate analysis
OF sex psychology. almost in the style of
D'Annunzio. A contributor 20 Continental
Correspondence, a Berlin Journal, re-
Views il as follows:
I'm Hauptmann's work the theme Is
treated in an entirely new manner. He de-
piets the Margrave Ulrich Won Saluzzo as
being unbridled savagery, who gives way
to follies of all sorts, but only because
his ideal and tender nature is in revolt
against the commonplaces of every day
life. He knows no half moods he is Only
attracted by that which Is real and preg-
nant. For this reason he is charmed by
Griselda. the peasant maid, whose ac-
quaintance he has made by chance whilst
stopping at her fathers hut during a hunt
- - A. A. Al d. autzl. 20 -,aN.w
"'Griselda stands for the elemental
woman in all her natural strength. a hard,
strong, beautiful peasant girl, austere and
obstinate as the very work that forms her
daily life. Harsh and defiant is also her
attitude to the Margrave, whom she nearly
fells with a club when he shows signs of
becoming importunate. He sees In her
the mobility OF Mother Eve and when his
family urges him to marry and beget an
heir. he chooses the untutored peasant
girl,
The couttship is depicted in a remark
able scene. The whole of the brilliant
court pays a visit to the farm, whore they
sneer at tho coarse peasant girl. When,
however, the Margrave offers an estate to
any one who will seize a kiss from her,
there is none daring enough to make the
venture. IT Is only in his arms that
Griselda's strength deserts her; like is
drawn TO like and the fierce strength of
the man finds counterpart I'm the woman.
''She becomes his wife, and it is beauti-
fully depicted how she, who hitherto had
known but care and labor, for the first
time sees the world In all it's beauty. Love
becomes all in ali to her. and the UNI
tamable Margrave finds in the peasant
girl, who has become his consort, his idol
But this very excess OF love proves fatal
I'd them both. He wishes to keep her for
himself alone, not to share her with the
world. lie desires TO see her far removed
from all that is the lot of the common
herd.
consequently, the thought that she is
20 become a mother Is almost unbearable
70 him, and he is consumed with a feeling
OF jealousy and hate for the child that is
TO be. for the reason that 1t will deprive
him OF a share of Griselda's love. When
the Margrave. who has sent the baby
away to the care OF relations Immediately
after it's birth, In order that his son may
not come between him and his wife, once
more meets her after weeks Of separation
Griselda's first words at their meeting
q are; Where is my child?' Ulrich turns
on his heel. rushes from the castle and
takes up his abode in a mountain hut.
Nothing can induce him to return, 4 am
alone and am resolved to remain alone
That is his answer to ali entreties.
When Griselda is Informed Of this her
resolution is quickly taken. Deprived Of
her child. there remains nothing more for
her to do in the castle; the Margraye
wishes to be left in solitude. so she re-
turns once more to her fathers cottage
and to a life OF care and travail. She feels
that she never should have left II; she
should never have allowed her stern peas
ants heart to be touched. All her past
luxury seems TO her TO have been nothing
hut a charity doled out 90 her, and she
determines to wash the steps of the castle,
and SO by her work to pay for all she has
enjoyed. Thus she is depicted in the last
scene.
Elm the middle OF her work a strange
nurse passes carrying the child in her
arms. The Margrave. who is beside him
self and who no longer knows his own
will. is to be shown his son in the hopes
OF thus bringing him back to a more ra-
tional frame OF mind. The nurse stumbles
Grselda is about to take the child. hut
overcome by the misery OF her heart. she
totters, and. with a cry falls down upon
the steps. Her cry attracts the Margravs
10 the SPOT. and in the moment when they
stand eye 20 eye, all their sorrows are
forgotten. They fall into one another'S
arms and cannot understand why they
have caused each other so much pain and
sorrow.
They cannot understand it-and neither
can the audience. II IL true that love Il
the ruling passion. nat IL IL stronger thar
death itself. but have these two attaines
q this love which Is stronger than death