About the Play
Wilhelm Tell Drama, New Glarus, Wisconsin
Wilhelm Tell Drama, Interlaken, Switzerland
Wilhelm Tell Drama, Evansville, Indiana, May 9, 1905
Wilhelm Tell Drama
Preface
Although the story of Wilhelm Tell, the Swiss national hero, is interwoven with the golden thread of myth, research has proven that many actual deeds have been drawn upon to create this greatest of all Swiss dramas. The bold, yet humble traits of Tell’s personality may be said to typify the Swiss national character though the centuries since the oath on the Ruetli meadow.
The story of the Tell drama was suggested to Schiller by his friend Goethe. Schiller realized at once that the portrayal of Wilhelm Tell required a simple, unsentimental treatment. In Tell, Schiller saw the noble simplicity which is singularly Swiss.
Because it depicts history as well as legend, the drama of Wilhelm Tell is as much a living part of a Swiss today as it was in the years past.
Synopsis
Act 1
Scene 1 (Fisherman’s hut on shore of Lake Lucerne)
The cattle, which have been grazing in Alpine meadows though the summer, are being driven back to the valleys for the coming winter. Baumgarten, who has slain Wolfshot (young noble of Unterwalden who deserted to the Austrians; became Governor of Rossberg) for attempting to dishonor his wife, is fleeing that subgovernor’s soldiers. Baumgarten’s plea for passage across the surging lake is refused by the boatman, who fears the coming storm and deems crossing perilous. Baumgarten’s plea is answered when Wilhelm Tell arrives and volunteers his help. Together they escape as Wolfshot’s soldiers arrive in angry pursuit.
Scene 2 (Steinen in Schwyz, Stauffacher’s house)
Werner Stauffacher explains to his wife, Gertrude, that the Swiss are being oppressed by the Austrians and that Gessler, the Austrian vice-regent, objected to Stauffacher’s fine home and prosperous position. Gertrude urges him to consult with Walter Fuerst and the Baron von Attinghausen in making plans to free their people – even if it means war.
Scene 3 (Walter Fuerst’s dwelling)
Stauffacher calls on Walter Fuerst and explains that Landenberger (young noble of Thurgau, deserted to the Austrians; became governor of Unterwalden), the governor of Unterwalden, has put out the eyes of Melchtal’s father for a minor offense committed by Melchtal. Melchtal, who has sought refuge with Fuerst, hear this, rushes out and bemoans the fact that his rashness has resulted in the blinding of his helpless father. After Melchtal has calmed down, the three men agree to bring patriots to a secret meeting on Ruetli meadow. They swear a solemn oath to remain united.
Scene 4 (Public square at Altdorf)
The people of Uri are being forced to build a castle and dungeon at Altdorf. Stauffacher deplores this; but Tell says, “Hands can destroy whatever hands have built,” points to the mountains and says, “That house of freedom God has built for us.” A procession arrives carrying a hat on a pole. A public crier announces that in the future the people must do obeisance to it as though it were Gessler himself. Stauffacher urges Tell to attend the meeting in Ruetli; Tell refuses but promises his help if definite action is undertaken.
A worker falls from the roof. Bertha von Bruneck, an Austrian of noble birth, whose sympathies are with the Swiss, offers gold in aid of the fallen man but is informed he is dead. The Swiss spurn her and her gift, whereon she predicts on evil future for the fortress whish is being built.
Act 2
Scene 1 (Castle of Attinghausen)
The Baron of Attinghausen pleads with his nephew and heir apparent, Ulrich von Rudenz, not to desert the Swiss. Rudenz believes the cause of the Swiss to be hopeless. The baron accuses his nephew of loving the splendors of the court and Bertha von Bruneck, whereupon Rudenz departs in anger. The old man is left to lament his nephew’s desertion and ponder the plight of this country.
Scene 2 (The Ruetli meadow near Lake Lucerne, August 1, 1291)
Patriots from the Cantons of Uri, Schwyz, and Unterwalden meet in the Ruetli to discuss plans for united action. Stauffacher explains that this is not a new union but dates back to the time when famine drove them from their ancient homes in the north.
Since that time they have retained their freedom and Stauffacher urges them not to surrender it now. After some disagreement as to the best time of action, they decide to wait until Christmas when they can enter the castle disguised as serfs bearing gifts.
Act 3
Scene 1 (Tell’s dwelling in Buerglen)
Tell is leaving for Altdorf with his son Walter. Hedwig knows Gessler is there and fears for Tell’s safe passage. Tell explains how he had met Gessler previously on a narrow mountain path, and the Austrian, trembling with gear, allowed him to pass. Hedwig knows that Gessler will hate Tell even more for this. She urges Tell to go hunting or, if he must go to Altdorf, to leave Walter at home. Tell is adamant and leaves for Altdorf taking Walter with him.
Scene 2 (Woodland Scenery)
Although Bertha von Bruneck is an Austrian by birth, her heart is with the Swiss. She loves Rudenz, yet despises him as a traitor. Rudenz is shocked by her denunciation of his conduct and realizes that it is Bertha and not the glory of the court he seeks. She promises to be his if he will fight for his country’s freedom.
Scene 3 (Village Green at Altdorf)
Gessler’s hat has been set upon a pole in the Village of Altdorf with notice that it should be respected as if it where Gessler himself. As Tell approaches the village he explains to his son why the Swiss would rather dwell in freedom among glaciers and avalanches than in a more favorable country but in tyranny. Tell and Walter pass without doing obeisance to the hat; Tell is arrested, he resists and the soldiers raise a cry of mutiny.
Gessler arrives and refuses to accept Tell’s apology. Walter innocently boats that his father can shoot an apple from a tree at a hundred paces. Gessler conceives the fiendish plan of having Tell shoot an apple from his son’s head. If Tell refuses he must forfeit his son’s life as well as his own. In fearful agony Tell prepares to shoot, but he places a second arrow in readiness; this is noted by Gessler.
As Rudenz speaks out for the Swiss and draws his sword against Gessler, Tell shoots and the apple is struck from his son’s head. The crowd is jubilant, but Gessler is furious and asks about the second arrow. Upon being promised that his life would be spared, Tell shouts that the second arrow was meant for Gessler if the first had harmed his child. Not having promised him freedom, but only his life, Gessler has Tell bound and prepares to take him personally to the prison across the lake at Kuessnacht.
Act 4
Scene 1 (The Eastern Shore of the Lake)
Tell explains to the fisherman and his son how a sudden fierce storm arose while Gessler was taking him across the lake to Kuessnacht. Gessler feared for his life in the storm and released Tell to steer the boat into a port of safety. Upon nearing the coast, Tell seized his crossbow, leaped from the boat to an overhanging rocky ledge and escaped, leaving the boat to drift helplessly. He is now in his way to Kuessnacht on a undisclosed mission. The fisherman consents to have his son guide him there by the shortest route.
Scene 2 (The castle of Attinghausen)
The aged Baron von Attinghausen is dying and awaits word of his nephew’s feeling toward the cause of freedom. Stauffacher and Fuerst explain that Rudenz has found himself and has spoken out for the Swiss at Altdorf. Plans have been made in the Ruetli to overthrow the fortress at Christmas and drive out the Austrians. The baron sees a vision of the glorious victory to come and with his dying breath urges the three cantons to act as one.
Rudenz arrives shortly after his uncle’s death and urges the leader of the confederacy not to wait until Christmas but to act now. They are persuaded and follow him to storm the fortress.
Scene 3 (The Hohle Gasse near Kuessnacht)
Tell has reached a narrow passageway in the only road that leads to the village of Kuessnacht. He fondles his crossbow with which he plans to take Gessler’s life and gives a lengthy soliloquy justifying his contemplated action. His monologue is interrupted by a wedding party. Tell conceals himself and awaits Gessler, who arrives shortly afterwards and finds the path blocked by a poor mother whose husband had been imprisoned without a trial. Gessler refuses her plea for justice and is about to ride her down when an arrow pierces his heart. Gessler realizes the arrow embedded in his body was Wilhelm Tell’s.
Rudolf der Harras urges the dying Gessler to make peace with God and pleads with the people of help. The people refuse and declare themselves happy to be free of the tyrant’s oppression. Harras rushes off to save the fortress at Kuessnacht for the emperor, leaving the body of Gessler to be cared for by the approaching monks.
Act 5
Scene 1 (Tell’s dwelling)
Hedwig Tell and the children welcome Tell home. Wilhelm Jr. notices the absence of the crossbow; Tell announces it will never be used again but will be preserved in a sacred place. Hedwig shudders at the remembrance of Tell’s action, but she is assured the deed was righteous since it freed the land from oppression.
Bells ring and fires burn as a signal to the people that the fortresses have fallen and the imperial governor, Landenberger, has been expelled from the land, which is now free. Bertha is granted citizenship, and Rudenz abolishes serfdom on his estates, competing the liberation of all.