Schiller Translations

Prolog

If it is true what people often say, that the taste of a person betrays who he is, then the spirit of bad taste must have prevailed in Weimar this early morning of May, because the many people who have spread the news about the burial of Frederick Schiller were only considered as tasteless if not outright disturbed by those who heard and received the news from them.

The weather this morning was really favorable for activity and pleasure: not too hot, not too humid, only slightly scented by the numerous blooming and colorful flowers which were seen everywhere in the ducal as well as private gardens. A light breeze coming from the surrounding forests would even have begun to set the inhabitants of Weimar into the jolliest mood when the first rumors, early in the day, began to break out under the neatly maintained roofs of this otherwise calm city.

The city was once again, because of Schiller, talking about one and the same thing. Citizens as well as courtiers would be only talking about the same thing:

- "They have buried him in all secrecy! They have buried him in secrecy!

Many people, of course, would not want to believe the rumors without any appropriate confirmation, preferably from official source. Some, however, would already believe them with an expression of terror in the eyes. That Mister Schiller war really sick these past few days, was not a secret for anyone in the city. That he became estranged with the prominent people of the city was also not any more a secret. And yet. No one in the city would really believe that things had generated so bad in order to prevent the holding of a ceremonial burial for one of the city's most famous residents.

Why would a Weimar counselor be so strangely treated? What has Mister Schiller then done to deserve the severity and rage of his fellows in the Weimar Palace?

Now, people have decided that they must really prove, first, the death of Schiller, as throughout the years, his death was more than once announced in the newspapers, if not spread from words of mouth. Only afterward, if the death has been confirmed, must they inquire whether something really terrible has happened overnight in their city, about which details they all want to know about, in order to take the proper decisions. People were now starting to get out of their home and to knock at their neighbors doors' in order to get more news, or simply to decide together about the course of action.

The many unanswered questions about his death and burial would spread even more as the news, first in the cities of Saxony, then in those of the Prussian States, hour by hour, through the persistent and constant means of the intercity couriers, were made known.
By midday, with the sincere and deep sorrow which the death of this man, among the citizens of Saxony has raised, feeling of ungratefulness and insensitivity, if not of outright insult would also be made sensible with many people. Has Schiller the conscience of the German nations not awakened? Has he not simply revealed a better, a greater determination for these nations?

Spring has shown its ebullient fever everywhere in Saxony during this day, everywhere in Nature and in the people's souls: most people would only want to think about outdoor and pleasurable activities, but suddenly would these strange news, in anyone who has known Schiller, throw people into introspection. Something against the logic of Nature has taken place this morning in Weimar. The Weimar courtiers as well as the small citizens who have known this Schiller, could not but change their jolly thoughts about pleasures and activities into the very inner feeling of mourning for one of their fellows, one of their members.

The courtiers would simply reflect with philosophy about the versatility of life, and the citizens of Weimar about the great hope which the writer has brought in their midst, and could just like him, disappear mysteriously again.

The craziest rumors would now again run all around the city, and give way to even more credibility to the perceived mystery:

- "Hey! Would it be possible that they have poisoned him? Would it be possible!?", would then a man give as an explanation.
- "Indeed! They have killed him! Hence the secret burial!", would a woman to the small crowd gathered in the marketplace affirm staunchly.

Some people would want, by instinct, moved by a sudden enthusiasm, prepare to do something for the memory of this man.

- "We must do something for his memory! We cannot remain inactive before such an event!"
- "Yes! But what to do!? What!?", would then an old man add, not without a ray of hope in his eyes.

All of them were only in agreement with one conclusion: something terrible must have happened to him in order to justify this undue treatment on one side, and they must do something to honor this death, on the other.
Now, however, they would all experience fear born form their own incapacity to grasp the reality behind the news: what if the authorities would decide to do something against the citizens, what if they decide to ask them questions? The various plans of actions from different sources would then still be further discussed and compared.

People have already for long supposed that Schiller was the victim of poisoning, as they have learned that his persistent fever and headaches were not curable because they have simply, so their conclusions went, caused by regular mixing of poisons in his food.
People would, now, simply attempt to know how his burial did take place and when, and if possible, also the reasons for such secrecy.

- "To Hell! How did it happen that no one was witness to his burial?", would then be a question which comes often in the mind of this exalted group.

Everyone would then advance an assumption, which would be immediately refuted, sometimes amidst laughter and doubts, by the others. No one could, however, deliver a plausible explanation to the rest of the group, and a mournful mood would again impose itself within the group of people who wanted to show for the last time their respect to the writer. Then, someone would find further suppositions to add to the already confused minds of the gathered passersby:

- "He must have left the city in emergency, incognito, in order to avoid the persecutions of his fellow counselors who have gone very vocal against him lately! "

Another one would then advance that criminals, certainly robbers, would have injured his body and also his head badly, as they wanted to avoid any questioning about their crimes, hence the secret burial.

- "They wanted to hide their misdeeds from his family and friends!"

If it is true what people often say, that the taste of a person betrays who he is, then bad taste must have prevailed in the minds of the people in Weimar during lunchtime this beautiful day of May, because all the people who have brought home all the incredible versions which they have gathered all around the city about the secret burial of Schiller, were judged completely tasteless by those who have listened to them.

In the afternoon, more information about what happened in Weimar the day before would be available. The Weimarer who were still moved by the death of Schiller, were even more disturbed by his supposed secret burial. However, a few men and women were courageous enough to go to the city cemetery in order to verity if any burial have really taken place the night before. They have now returned to the city and would confirm that any new tomb with his inscription were nowhere to be found in the cemetery.

- "He is gone! He has fled the city! He is not dead, he has just left the city!"

Someone would then suggest asking directly the city counselors themselves about the whereabouts of Mister Schiller. However, no one wanted to attract the attention of these people, and possibly also their anger upon himself or herself. Yet, no one could anymore bear to remain without confirmed information about the absence of the poet, and particularly without any plausible cause.

From the cabinet of Doctor Stark would than the following confirmation be received: Schiller was really dead and buried. From his servants, people would also hear that Mrs. Schiller weeps the loss of her husband and mourns him. However, she also has not assisted to his burial.

Would anyone be bold enough to ask by the Palace about the fate of Mister Schiller? Would the courtiers, and maybe also the Duke have anything to do with these strange events?

No one could affirm anything to that end. Yet, no one was also sure of the contrary. The minds were all carried away because of Schiller's death, because the people did not have the occasion to honor and pay homage to his remains. The man whom they have called their national poet has gone, and no one has bid farewell to him.

As the evening would cover the city of Weimar with its somber mantel, would tears still be flowing for the man, this Schiller, who has moved so much the inhabitants of the city of Weimar these last few years.

Who was this Schiller?

What has he done to arouse so many passion and devotion, among the grands as well as the humble citizens alike? What has he done in order to deserve the severity and revenge of some mysterious powerful people?

What people know from the events of the night before, is that a few minutes before eleven o'clock in the night, eight men, dressed with black mantle and black trilby have come to his home and have taken the corpse for a nightly burial. Hence, no one else could assist his burial. No one from his entourage, neither his family nor his friends, in truth, were allowed to accompany him to his last place of rest. No one.

Many people who learned about these events would then be frightened by these strange men. Such uses were never heard before in the country for centuries, except for sorcerers, and people would still, now, express about the events, their most terrible and silliest presumptions.

Who was behind all these sordid burial? Who was responsible that the national hero was so badly mistreated even in his last resting place? People would translate, then, all their admiration for the poet in their sadness and worry; and later on, express their regret for such a terrible destiny.

Many people, now, would only remember how relentlessly this man has written about the eternal virtues of the country as well as the circumstantial errors of its rulers, very often, in his poems.

But, above all, he has set and directed the German peoples again upon its moral direction. To this same people, he has made possible a higher destiny, a noble duty for itself and for the country. He wanted simply to arouse and entrust in every person the sense of the Good, the Beautiful and the Sublime.

Not that this sense was simple and can be taken for granted in the human being, not also that this sense would conquer any hinder in life, but only that such sense, applied in everyday life, against the inevitable blows of destiny, would allow anyone, still, to envision further a goal, a purpose to his or her life. On such foundations he would want everyone to rely his or her life upon.

Now, everyone in the small group of Weimarer would have remorse. Remorse for not having helped him when it was still time. Remorse for having abandoned him. This man has, finally, faced alone his destiny, without any complaint but also without any great means. The poet has always expected greatness from Humanity, but has often known pettiness from it.

But who was this Schiller?

"All my heritage, all my possession
I throw, believing, away,
And with my pilgrim's stick
I advance with a child-like vision.

For guiding me are a powerful hope
And a believer's inner command.
Wander, they tell me, the way is wide open.
Always forward."

The Pilgrim

If it is true what people often say, that the taste of a person betrays who he is, then bad taste must have prevailed in the minds of the people in Weimar during all this day of May, because the persons who have confirmed the burial of Schiller, were all judged as tasteless by the admirers of the poet who did not want to believe this information.

Chapter 1: War and Peace

An important victory

The evening was still young but the city was already covered with a dark and cold winter fog which was quite usual to all Berliners, and most unpleasant to anyone else not used to this type of gloomy weather. The normally busy streets of Berlin have become progressively silent as if with the coming night, fog has also covered the noise which made this capital city quite vibrating only a couple of hours before.

All the remaining passersby, hands in their pockets, nose protected from the cold by their thick knitted scarves, were rushing before the Berliner Palace as if they wanted to get home as soon as possible, eager to drink something hot, to warm their freezing members, and could hardly guess the intense activity going on in the nearby palace, just on the street they were walking. Indeed, such foggy evenings were propitious to all sorts of peculiar events, and if one should only have a little imagination, then the surrounding of these almost hollow, silent and empty streets were enough to send the most dreadful thrills along the spine: these were the hours when man could make all sorts of strange encounters.

Tall and imposing was the nearby palace with its high columns, majestic stairs and strictly aligned windows, through which the inner lights were reverberating outside. But in the evening, amidst the fog, these lights could not make more attractive the definitely grim color of the building. Even the few street lights could not be of any help. Everywhere you look, there was already darkness in the streets. A typical winter evening in Berlin.

Only a few officers and court members, noticeable from their elegant attires, were still calmly clustering before the main entrance, immune from the cold and unimpressed by the fog around, in order to join the celebration of an important victory.

Prussia, with the recent acquisition or others would say the annexation of Western Prussia and other territories such as the much coveted bishopric of Ermland, would, finally, after so many long and strenuous wars, gather again in 1772 in its crown its previously lost territories.

Frederick II, King in Prussia, was now proceeding to change with pride and satisfaction, after so many years of frustration and shattered hopes, his title into King of Prussia. This first division of the kingdom of Poland, from which the Prussians have taken territories, would be celebrated in Prussia as a very important victory, as it would allow again the raise of the Kingdom of Prussia, after so many humiliating years. Persistent wars and active diplomacy have allowed the Prussians to conquer again the original kingdom of their ancestors, and their victory, although hard fought, would now appear to these otherwise very frugal people, sweeter than ever.

This was a day of celebration for all the officers, and also for the court members who were present in the council this evening: a sober celebration, in comparison with the importance of the victory, however, a very significant one for all Prussians, even the ones not present this evening in the council room.

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Chapter 2: An unwilling apprentice

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Solitude Castle

Among their silent tears, the clumsily reassuring words of their parents and the boisterous orders of the officers, the new pupils have made their entries into the courtyard of the former ducal orphanage. Most would, naturally, regard their new elementary school only with fear and suspicion. This entry in a new school, no matter how beautiful or huge it may also be als their former rural school, they would now experience with full apprehension. Solitude Castle, in which the former orphanage, now a military academy, was located, is an imposing building made of clear stones which has nothing to particularly attract the mind of a youngster and the other peculiarity which many schools did not have, to be in the close vicinity of a castle. Beside the main building, there were also some other smaller constructions which served as offices and quarters for the administrators. All these impressive constructions were surrounded by high walls, making them invisible from outside. Seen from the castle, the ducal elementary school, with its regular, Greek-like pillars could have the appearance of a temple, however, even under the pale January sun-rays, when the stones appear almost white, it could only inspire but coldness and severity to the new pupils.

Most of them have never been in such wide courtyard, and they would also observe Solitude Castle with the most intrigued eyes. They have never seen so many imposing constructions at once, and their feeling of estrangement would only be enhanced by the presence of the yelling officers, as soon as the moments of wonder have passed.

This place belonged to the prince of the country whose reputation in the minds of the school children, could only be compared to that of a monster, of a ogre. This castle and its surrounding belonged privately to Duke Charles Eugene of Wurttemberg.

Even if Solitude Castle was built with many circular figures, its architecture could not lend to it a feminine or sympathetic character; something was missing it in order to inspire the occasional visitor a positive, generous or calm feeling. Maybe the absence of appropriate gardens around the building was also responsible for this absence of pleasant feelings. The reputation of the castle has, indeed, damaged the value of its architecture. Even the youngest among the pupils have already heard the fearsome rumors about it, and it is only natural that the castle is always associated with a feeling of respect and fear, even in those young minds.

Immediately after their entry into the courtyard, the new pupils would feel and realize what a military academy was about. Order and obedience were, naturally, the principles guiding this academy, and the pupils could only rapidly enough learn the meaning of these words, otherwise the severity of the rules would punish them equally rapidly, as some unfortunate ones have already experienced with the loud warnings of the attending officers about their misdemeanor.

They have at once ceased their crying and would stand, now, as close as possible to their parents. The new pupils and their parents are now waiting, gathered as a lost group in front of the main building, for further instruction from the officer who seemed to lead the proceedings.

Already during its times as sheer orphanage, would Solitude Castle be inhabited by poor and defenseless children, and just as the other ducal orphanages of this time, the Duke was master of the lives of these orphans, and already then, so the rumor goes, physical punishments was already part of the military-like education, in an attempt to mold these children into obedient soldiers. The orphans were mostly coming from the ducal servants' and soldiers' families, all of them former farmers and were considered as the personal possession, if not mentally, certainly physically of the landlord.

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Chapter 3: The mission of Frederick the Great

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Frederick William I, King in Prussia

When Frederick William I, ascended on the throne, Prussia was a shattered state: the kingdom was divided with the polish crown, the fields were not cultivated, the army lacked precise direction and efficiency, and Prussia has amassed a huge amount of debt from its previous wars.

This young King had, consequently, first, to improve the finance of the state while also rebuilding militarily his kingdom, in order to be able to defend what was left from the empire of his ancestors from the attacks of his powerful neighbors in the future.

For that end, he would immediately decree the militarization of the whole kingdom: not only the King and his army, but also all the courtiers and the prominent citizens must live like soldiers and be always acting in preparation for an imminent war. The fields were prepared for agriculture again and had to be utilized better and otherwise, and yet also serve to the advancement of the state. Officers would be raised to new local dignities and, last but least, trade fairs were developed and created throughout the country.

As his kingdom, little by little, from the ashes of its defeats, has taken a new shape at the cost of many long hours under the sun, the rain and the snow, at the cost of many sleepless nights and strenuous days, at the cost also of some lives, Frederick William II would raise the militarization of the daily life higher and make it into a culture by applying it, now, to the lowest and broadest part of the population. It was intended to instill the spirit of conquest to the Prussians in order to allow, as soon as possible, the re-conquest of the part of Prussia that was now in Poland; and hence, to be able to change with full pride his humiliating title of King in Prussia into King of Prussia.

With this concept of militarization, the Prussians would appropriately develop their virtues, according to their situation of defeated nation: self-confidence, thrift and diligence were the qualities that were to be developed among the court members as well as any group with importance in the land. Everywhere in the kingdom, trade would be systematically developed with the territories in the southern part of the Baltic states; people living in the space between Russia and Poland would be brought to work and settle in Prussia, for in all its successive wars, the population of the kingdom has decreased, and now, the authorities were inviting refugees as well as religious and political persecuted, mostly French Protestants, to begin a new life in Prussia.

Hence, would Frederick William II prepare himself for more future wars which he would endeavors for the sake of his beloved but shattered kingdom. Frederick William II would teach, personally, his country to organize differently and to acquire the new character needed for its survival. Without any rest, he would persistently prepare to direct his armies against his perceived and real enemies. Mercilessly and in a logical manner, he would, through the years, advance his hordes to invade one valley, one field after the other and re-conquer the empire of his ancestors.

After only a few years, the Prussian army would gain, again, an excellent reputation among the European courts for its discipline and cohesion in achieving its goals. Besides, however, people would also, throughout Europe foresee that this same army would not content itself, should its luck in war change positively, with re-conquering its previous territories in Poland.

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Chapter 4: The literature society

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The favorites

It was still the time where Frederick Schiller would still, without naturally wanting it, attract the

excessive attention of the Duke to him. The same way as other pupils, he would be considered as a
ducal ward in the castle. Dressed with elegant and expensive clothes, these privileged wards would be
allowed to circulate in the private quarters of the castle where, usually, the other pupils, or even the
soldiers could not enter without extraordinary permission. The other pupils would remain in their white
linen uniform and would then consider these chosen ones as the favorites.

These favorites would often be called upon in the private quarters, at the service of the Duke, for his
personal use: to recite poems while he was dining, to wait him and his guests and many other services
of this kind. These favorites were instructed, to act positively to all the wishes of the Duke and his
guests, and as cadets, to fulfill such wishes with diligence and without asking any question. To please
constantly the Duke was, then, not only an order, but also be made by the attendants of the school into a
subject of competition among the other, envious pupils.

More often, however, these favorites were used, before the ducal guests, as decoration, dressed in red
military jacket, with a white wig, silent and standing upright during the whole event, scattered
throughout the salons and the halls, as living proofs of the Duke's rank and noble highness.

Early in the morning, they would still have, like the other pupils, to wake up and perform their physical
exercises. No further privileges would they have in the morning, as they would be often told that their
higher status in the school was totally dependent of the good will of the duke, and could only be lasting
for a short period. These wards were told expressly to avoid getting accustomed to this privileged life.
These favorites would, sometimes, remain on duty in the castle, late at night, but had to quickly learn to
adapt to their new status, and yet, wake up early in the morning. Many of them would, however, during
the classes, in the daytime, sometimes, doze. They had to behave, just like the other normal pupils,
during the day, because they were also supposed to have behaved like them during the night.

The educational mission goes further

From 1775, the personal interest of the Duke for Schiller and the other pupils of his age would then
significantly decrease. The cause was quite obvious: with the new and renovated buildings, there was
more space to accommodate new pupils and students in the academy. The Duke and his attendants have
not waited for the new buildings to be finished in order to make new recruits for the Karlsschule
Academy. In January of the same year, numerous new pupils, from different ages and backgrounds,
would make their entry into the new academy. Besides the children of his own subjects, other pupils
from different countries were simply invited to perfect their education in this institution, in order to
increase its reputation and fame.

In the following months, pupils like Schiller would be called less often in the ducal salons, and he
would then use his time to study the texts of Klopstocks, Machiavelli and ever more Shakespeare. If he
would still remember something from the education his father has given him, it was only this principle:
only through your study you will earn a living.

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Chapter 5: The turning point

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The ascension of Duke Karl August of Saxony

In Weimar, in the meantime, Goethe has been appointed a secret counselor to Duke Karl August of
Saxony-Anhalt. A close collaboration between the two men would ensue: in this pair, many people in
Weimar would see the new division of duties prevailing in the city. Duke Karl August would, from now
on, devote himself to his military commandment duties while his counselors, and particularly Goethe,
would progressively focus his time on the administration of Saxony.

In the coming months after this appointment, Goethe would accompany Duke Karl August on his
various military campaigns. He would also accompany this one during his ducal visits to the various
places and villages in Saxony, and it is during such visits among the farmers that they would utterly
anger the Saxons: Duke Karl August and his council would often demand from the local authorities
young maidens for their convenience. This custom was not so unusual in those times, should Duke Karl
August and also Goethe, have not declared themselves previously to the public as Enlightened. The
maintenance of such custom would not also have caused such anger, did the two men not behave so
unusually with the maidens.

With the arrival of Goethe in Weimar, the sacred union of the citizens in this city, with the presence of
Herder and Wieland, would be completed, and Duke Karl August would through this move, practically
make the final step to fully conquer his throne. From now on, he can exclusively devote himself to his
sovereign duties and delegate the lesser ones to his council.

In the same time, in Rudolstadt, Frederick Schiller would, now, acquaint himself with the ambiance and
uses of the military academy, and have made, among the pupils of the school, some friends, as he, now,
is member of a student group.

The medical student

With his legal studies, he has now little interest, not so much because this field has not offered him
many subjects of interest, as well to the contrary, he had found so many challenging time studying legal
acts, but rather because he would soon discover, that through the excuse of applying the laws, the
attendants of the academy would exert with even more severity their authority upon the pupils and the
students. Law and rules were the cause invoked by these attendants when they wanted to justify their
physical punishment and other moral humiliations. He would, then, only use his intellectual energy and
curiosity, mostly, on Latin and Philosophy: he did not want, after finishing his education, to be
employed as another means to perpetuate the vile submission of Duke Karl Eugen in the academy.
Henceforth, in Latin, he would already, make translations and compose verses.

With the help of Philosophy, he would also create his own world of fantasy. He would use the
philosophical explanations to interpret the events and thoughts in his own life. His religious education,
he would, for the first time, dare to question with the light of philosophy. He would also be made aware
that his military education, in truth, was only meant to break his will, to limit his perspectives in life
and to focus only his time and energy on those capacities which are useful to the army.

His interest to medicine was, indeed, made possible because this field was for the first time offered in
the academy. Together with Frederick of Hoven, Schiller would, then, choose medicine as field of
study. He also thought that with this change, he would assure himself a better future, outside
Wurttemberg and through his practice, bring something concrete to the alleviation of the miseries of his
fellows, daily.

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Chapter 6: Enlightenment

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The cause of the American civil war

The courtyard in the middle of the barracks was filled with men, young and old, who from their clothes
cannot be mistaken for anyone else than peasants. The noise which progressively filled the place, made
up of their shouts and murmurs, naturally, became audible in the whole academy, and has taken even
the attendants who were responsible for this gathering, by surprise.

The peasants would be once again be ordered to form ranks according to their age, by the attending
officers who menaced them with their sticks and verbal commands.

It was still early in the morning, and the students have only just recently joined their classes for an hour
when this scene and its pertaining noise, suddenly, pulled their attention away from their lessons. It was
not the first time that a gathering of newly recruited soldiers took place in the courtyard, for their first
day, in the barrack. It was also not the first time that some of these recruited soldiers would be sent to
another location in the country. Only that this time, the shouts of protestations would let presage that
something unusual would be taken place in the academy.

- .We are not going! We will not go away from our country!! We are not going!" would the
most daring among them be shouting at the faces of the attendants.
-„They cannot sell us like cattle!" would add some others, emboldened to speak out by the
outrage of their comrades, and all of them would then make menaces of upheaval and rebellion
even if they were still staying in their ranks.

Schiller like the other students would also hear these aggressive menaces, even if, he also, did not know
exactly what was the cause of such discontent. Soon afterward, the students would be hearing again the
vociferating voices of the attendants, and some noise which sounded like hits made by sticks, would
afterward be also heard for a few minutes, followed by moanings, swearings and shouts that were
attenuated by the furious invectives of the attendants. Then, a general silence would follow for a few
seconds, as if the outburst of violent gestures and words has suddenly drained out the energy of all the
protagonists. Some loud footsteps were then heard throughout the courtyard without letting the students
guess what really took place there. The professor would, without any comment, continue his lesson and
the morning would end just as any other mornings in the academy.

Only in the evening would Schiller, with the news received from Weckherlin, learn that the recruited
soldiers, who this morning have dared to express themselves against their fate, would be sold, as
planned, by the Duke and his attendants to officers and envoys coming from America, for the needs of
the civil war, which in the east coast of America, mercilessly, was conducted against the British troops.

-„Frederick, you know now what is awaiting us, if for some reason our conduct does not please
the Duke: he can have us sent to America! He can sell us to these American envoys!", would
Weckherlin be telling him, as both were already in their bed this evening.

Schiller would remain silent, he has only now realized what the Duke could do his subjects. In the
obscurity of their room, Weckherlin would continue to complain about their lamentable condition, and
would be calling the Duke with all sorts of names which chaste ears have never heard about, while that
Schiller, overwhelmed by his fear and also his youthful feeling of injustice, would be paralyzed by the
strength of this feeling growing deep inside him, to add any comments to the intemperate remarks of
his roommate.

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Chapter 7: War again

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The friendly shore

Schiller would consider his almost instantaneous friendship with Scharffenstein as a blessed event:
both young men would laugh at the same jokes simultaneously, be subject to the same inclinations and
also find themselves aroused by their common, future challenges.

Every time they would find themselves together in a meeting of the literature society, they would with
their enthusiasm and liveliness, take the whole group into storm. If Schiller would not take the first role
by reading passionate passages of his works, would Scharffenstein put the imagination of the members
into fire with his new, fabulous plans for the society.

-„We should also ask the Duke for a permission to collect and earn our own funds, so that we
can organize trips abroad! We could also increase our own funds by charging the audience for
our annual stage performance or also….."

Scharffenstein would, with such words, with all his ideas for a greater and financially more dependent
society, pass among the other members who did not have any clue about financing, for a true hero.
Often, however, his presentations would end in laughter and jokes, as, in truth, they would simply
appear too bold for the others to have any semblance of feasibility.

Schiller would, however, be totally subjugated by his determined easiness in dealing with such crucial
themes and his apparent nonchalance, evolving naturally amidst the perceived elite of the school, and
he would almost, if not with personal curiosity, at least with a secret interest, follow the slightest
movement and speech of this fellow. These encounters in the literature society would, soon, not be
enough for the enthusiastic discussions of these two young men, so they will, during the night, make
appointments in the dark halls of the academy and there, alone or sometimes with other friends, they
would have the best times, talking about their future plans and professions.

The one would become a confident for the other, and this friendship would, indeed, make Schiller's
heart completely elated. He would, during these moments, forget the strange, abusive treatment of the
Duke. In truth, he would entrust to Scharffenstein the odd attitude of Duke Karl Eugene towards him,
with numerous details and comments, and with them, all his inner fears and apprehensions about his
future. In such a way, the two young men became intimate friends, and Schiller's soul would then find
relief in such impulsive but sincere mutual exchanges. In the tumultuous environment of the
Karlsschule, he would, finally, find a shore where he could accost and rest in security, even if only
during secret, nightly meetings in the halls.

More on the literature society

Despite the formal interdiction by the school authorities, Schiller and his friends would still read with
even more avidity the works of Voltaire, Rousseau, Goethe but also Shakespeare and Klopstock. It was
the times where the exchange of books among them was at its peak. Sometimes, when some books
were not be available to them in the academy, it was commonly decided to buy them outside the
academy. The necessary funds would then be collected in order to make the purchase possible.

Afterward, as the books would be acquired, mostly with the help and connivance of the members of
some noble families, they would be read with the deepest interest by the students and often late in the
evening, before the clearest window where a semblance of light could make a gathering possible, these
books would be discussed with passion.

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Chapter 8: The society of men

2011-11-04T23:06:00.001-07:00

The society of men

Schiller's play, „The annual market" would, on February 11, 1779, for the anniversary of Duke Karl
Eugene be performed in Solitude Castle before an audience made up of the prominent members of
society in Wurttemberg.

Now, Schiller would progressively and roughly be made aware of the different societies existing in his
homeland as well as in the other German nation states. The Pietists, the Quacksalber, the atheist groups,
the knightly orders, the enlightened robber-bands as well as the group of scholars named the Illuminati
or also the Society of Jesus, would be presented to him and would have, more or less interest to him,
but in 1779, the religious decency of his childhood, taught to him by Pastor Moser, entertained by his
mother, would still have an essential importance in his psyche.

From his initiation to these societies, he would only remember the cruelty, the physical wounds and the
moral deprecation. At such costs should one deserve a membership? How beautiful and friendly, then,
would his literature society appear to him: even if it was not made up of the most prominent people in
Wurttemberg, even if its members did not always live up to the highest standards of friendship, the
members were, above all, incapable of sheer and gratuitous cruelty, so Schiller thinks still in his
twentieth year. Why should one mix oneself in these other societies of men, if a better although smaller
form of them was totally perfect for him?

This mental disposition of Schiller was, however, already, known by the leaders of the academy, among
others, from his godfather Rieger as well as Professor Abel. For Frederick Schiller, then, they would,
together, prepare something even more radical for his future. It was perfectly clear to them that Schiller
could and must encompass a greater destiny in a greater society rather than to associate himself only in
a group of young men.

The intellectual preparedness of Schiller would, then, be sharpened by his professors and his
philosophical vagaries also broadened: he must come forward to the enlightened movement already
with solid convictions. He must represent the voice of the younger generations with credibility, and his
call must, as an order to the older ones, sound clearly to their conscience.

Andreas Streicher: the symbol of freedom

In Stuttgart, Andreas Streicher has stayed, after his majority was declared before the usual age, in
another ducal orphanage. He also, was educated, outside Stuttgart, in one of the severe institutions of
the Duke even if the orphanage in which he was raised did not have the same reputation as the one in
Solitude Castle. This orphanage did not offer any piano lessons, hence, the young Andreas had to go to
Stuttgart to continue, together with other music students, his education.

However, these gifted children would, soon, finish their apprenticeship, and in 1776 already, would
Andreas Streicher also be dismissed from the orphanage in Stuttgart. Hence, he would seek to better his
musical aptitudes through piano practice and composition.

During this time, he would also look without great success or perspectives for work in the villages and
cities around Stuttgart. And so it happened that in 1779, he should return to Stuttgart, in order to take
further exams in music and composition to allow him to practice his profession in higher levels in the
Karlsschule for higher education.

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Chapter 9: The end of his study

2011-11-04T23:04:00.002-07:00

An enthusiastic writer

In January, at the occasion of Francesca of Hohenheim's birthday, Schiller would write his speech „On virtues and their consequences/effects". The occasion was to him, in truth, not given but rather commanded: if he would become a writer, then, he should use his art to the praise of the masters, so have his superiors decided. He would, however, rather well exercise his skills for such solemn events. If he were not so interested with the Duke, he would still find the occasion to impress the Duke's friends and other guests of honor, with his literary style, almost too attractive to decline or even argue. Such occasion was for him a completely different matter.

Schiller would also take specific lessons in Psychology, early this year, with Professor Abel. While he was doing his hours, at night, as a medical intern, in the infirmary, he could take advantage of his daily candle allowance to work peacefully, without risking being caught writing his forbidden writings. He would then profit from this disposition to continue and complete „The robbers".

Now, it was clear to him, that despite his study and future graduation in medicine, he would become a writer. In truth, everyone in the surrounding of the Duke, would still count on him to become a regiment doctor and expect him only to use his writing skills for the occasional events held in Stuttgart. Schiller, however, has already decided otherwise. The student, who, every night, among the papers of his graduating and final paper, with perseverance and enthusiasm, writes and corrects secretly his manuscript, has already determinedly chosen to become a writer, not only one who tells stories but simply one with a national destiny.

A cruel lesson

Joseph Friedrich Grammont, after the death of his father, would fall into depression because of his feeling of moral abandonment and physical powerlessness, and would also, through taking massive sleeping pills, attempt to take his own life. People would then do everything possible, for months, to cure this morbid depression, but to no avail. As a last resort, would people send him to thermal cure, which did have some effects on his interest in life, for a few days, but afterward, he would revert back into a worrying inactivity, and his physical energy would diminish progressively. The vicinity of his friends, even, would not have any effect on this condition. Then, he would again have the most dreadful ideas of suicide. Schiller, together with other medical students, would be ordered to watch upon him days and nights, in order to avoid him taking the fatal step. Everyone knew, now, that no medical remedy would give him back an interest in life.

In the same life, he would only see and expect something terrible which is not better than his perception of death. After a second stay in a thermal institution, in which his condition did not change a bit, the doctors as well as the medical students had to envisage the fatal outcome of their patient. Still in his last day of study, Schiller would experience the death of another fellow student.

Schiller would closely and emotionally experience how the absence of prospect for a better future, the absence of hope and interest in life could lead human beings into wanting death over life. Under the similar situation of severe and loveless circumstances, human beings who have seen their last hopes disappear, would not find any more interest in life.

The Karlsschule would forever be synonymous to the omnipresence of death and the absence of love for the graduating Schiller. He has only but a desire: to leave this school, to leave the barrack, to leave Stuttgart, in order to find Life and Love.

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Chapter 10: Life outside the ducal academy

2011-11-04T23:02:00.001-07:00

The storm

Now, Schiller must, as a regiment doctor, work under the command of General Auge for as little as 18 Florins per month, just like the other doctors in the ducal army, a salary barely sufficient to pay for his basic expenses. He was still living in the premises of the Karlsschule, because he still could not find lodging in Stuttgart. Even if he has received the permission to live in the city, he was still forbidden to visit or see his mother and sister.

For the moment, he was still fully busy with his new duties as doctor, however, as soon as he would finish his day, would he, together with the other companions of arms, actively looking for a lodging around the garrison. It was indeed not an easy task to do as their salary would not even allow them to rent their own apartment or even to rent a decent room in a decent house.

As Schiller was preparing himself to leave forever the buildings of the Karlsschule, the storm of destiny would again forcefully take him in its whirls.

The death of a friend

The day was going to its end, all the classes have ceased and the students were all gathering in small, loud groups in the halls before dinner, exchanging the last news and comments about the whereabouts that took places in the academy in the last hours.

As Schiller, with his medical documents and tools was back from the garrison, Petersen and Hoven, running almost through the hall, short breathing and rather agitated, were directed themselves to him.

-„Frederick, Weckherlin, was brought to the infirmary! He was seized by violent fever after lunch and is now in a bed in the infirmary!" would Petersen tell him, among short breathes.
-„Sure. But that is nothing new. He has had violent fever before, and has always came out in good shape.", would Schiller reply, not at all surprised by the news.
-„Frederick, its serious! The Doctor had already called for his parents. It is really serious, you must come immediately by his side!" would, however, Petersen, with a trace of anguish in his voice, repeat.
-"Dear Johann Christian! Dear Friend!", could Schiller only softly say to himself as he was preparing to leave the crowded hall.

As he arrived in the infirmary, he saw immediately the bed near which a woman, pale but dignified, was sitting, and on which Weckherlin was lying, unconscious. Frederick Schiller could not utter a word, so moved he was to see the lifeless body of his friend, in the bleak of the evening in this otherwise desolate infirmary.

-"What happened?" would he ask, in truth to himself than to anyone present, in particular.

He was then told that after lunch, Weckherlin would be brought there in order to seek for medicines and care, however, after that he was given medicine, he fell unconscious and has not recovered his mind ever since.

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Chapter 11: Freedom and glory

2011-11-04T23:01:00.000-07:00

Fulfillment

On January 13th, 1782, the performance of "The Robbers" would take place in the Mannheim Theater.
Schiller and Streicher would for this occasion, secretly go to Mannheim. Present during this first
performance would be many members of the enlightened circles in this city and also a few friends of
Iffland. The success of the play would be immediate and the young Schiller would be completely
thrilled by this situation. Success would completely take the young poet in its whirls: at stake was not
for his name to acquire glory, but above all, for his friends and the new philosophical trends to make
for themselves an important place within the German states.

In February, then, Schiller would publish his „Anthology for the year 1782", which included the poems
he wrote during his staying at the Karlsschule. This anthology was also aimed at challenging Frederick
Staudlin's famous „The Swabia's Muse Almanac for 1782". Another significant step for the aspiring
writer. At the end of March, together with the help of Johann Wilhelm Petersen and Professor Abel, the
first issue of the „The Literature Repertory of Wurttemberg" would be printed and distributed.
„The Robbers" would then be performed in Leipzig, Hamburg and Frankfurt. The call for the partisans
of the New World to put it in place, would be made to the enlightened circles and burgers in these
cities. The play and its author, against all odds, would become the symbol of this forceful courage
toward the improvement of Humanity.

Between May 25th and 29th, Schiller and Streicher would again be present in Mannheim for the
performances of „The Robbers". Schiller's joy would be complete as his dreams to be a writer would be
finally fulfilled; however, deep in his heart, as a normal human being, he would also sourly recognize
that he, now, was a man who must live and act secretly to live his dream. His homeland, his family, his
friends are now away from him, and could not share his success with him. At this moment, however, he
would not want to brood about this. He needed a space, a time where he could, finally, live as himself,
unhindered in his liveliness and joyfulness. And this time and space, he could only find in Mannheim,
away from home, during these secret trips.

Hell on earth: the prison of Hohenasperg
It was early in the morning and Schiller was still in his bed when suddenly, loud footsteps were heard
on the floor and someone shouting:

-. They are coming! Frederick, they are coming! They are here!"

Before Schiller could get out of the bed, the guards were already before him. Frederick Schiller would
still dare to proffer menace against them in case they would commit violence against him but then,
suddenly, the abrupt and violent arrest would happen. Without saying a word to him, they have seized
him by the arms, and as Schiller would still show resistance, two other guards would take him also by
his legs.

At the age of 22, he could not believe that he would still experience physical violence from the part of
Duke Karl Eugen. During his arrest, he would shout, gesticulate to free himself and kick all around,
but, indeed, in vain. The guards were too numerous for him to overcome. The young writer would
immediately be brought to Hohenasperg to be thrown, there, into prison.

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Chapter 12: Poet in residence

2011-11-03T21:03:00.010-07:00

From one publication to the other

In accordance with his contract, Schiller would deliver to Dalberg his next play, "The conspiracy of
Fiesco in Genoa" on time, and in April 1783, Schwann would also put it under print. It is the period
where he would devote all his efforts only to his works and love relationships.

Since his return to Mannheim, Schiller would more than ever be craving for love: a love which could
only be fully satisfying to him. It came to him in the person of Margaret Schwann, the daughter of his
publisher. Often, he would be seeing her as he would be working with her father on his next play "Don
Carlos", which he has begun and worked over in Bauerbach.

Through the readings of and discussions about this play, the two young persons would learn to know

each other, and the sympathy between them would be immediate. Margaret was young, tender and above

all of an ethereal beauty. At 19, she possessed all the traits of innocence, and yet, she would already

show a disposition for the most serious relationship. Schiller was only but looking for such companion in life.

In those days, Schiller would haunt very often the society in Mannheim and soon, his expenses would
exceed his income. As he still did not have in sight a substantial improvement of his financial situation,
hence he would soon, in truth, against his wishes and intentions cease these visits.

As his relationship, however, would become more serious with Margaret, Schiller felt that he, now,
should propose to her, in accordance with the morals of the time, otherwise she would feel that he is
actually deceiving her. Because of his financial situation, he will simply tell her that he must give a
temporary end to their relationship, and when his condition will improve, he will definitely ask for her
hand.

Hence, Schiller must still renounce to his tender love, for the moment, as he, simply, could not have a
long term relationship with Margaret without casting a shadow on her unmarried status.
Would, he however, for that reason have to live alone? Could he, now, survive a time alone? Loneliness
would always remind him of the cruelest times in the Karlsschule. How could he, now, alone, sustain
the drives to improve his condition if love is not part of these drives? Or were, more pragmatically, his
feelings for Margaret just not strong enough for an ordeal?

Hope

Looking back at his life, Schiller would only recognize that he, despite all the ordeals, still holds
valuable and strong motivations to live, even if he, also, sometimes, has had suicidal ideas. He could
still hope, that tomorrow, he will be able to live as a completely and perfectly free man, and a constant
reassurance for this hope was the perspective of experiencing freedom, in the future. Now, he would
have a lesser trust in human beings, but still have faith in a beautiful Humanity.

Loneliness is the price that a human being must pay, if he wants to direct his acts towards greatness,
particularly if one is a writer. People can make plans together with other human beings, however, the
way to greatness, to the completion of one's destiny, one must always take alone. So he has learned
with pain. However, hopefully, with Greatness comes always Love. In his psyche, a man experiences
Love with the fulfillment of his destiny, of his greatness. He still confuses love and pleasure, and the
attempts to unite and find both in one person have been, so far, the source of the torments in his soul.
Naturally have all such attempts ended in failure. Enlightenment has brought many improvements in
the life of the ordinary man, just not yet free love and contraception.

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Chapter 13: The trouble with Charlotte von Kalb

2011-04-27T22:23:00.001-07:00

Chapter 13: The trouble with Charlotte von Kalb

Epidemic in the city
July was going towards its end and Mannheim, with its splendid flowerso nthe balconies and in the garten, would prepare itself for a small summer holiday. The works in the fields were all done und the farmers were now waiting for Fall to gauge how fruitful has been the collaboration between man and Nature. Even the streets, after the business of the morning, are empty from the usual passersby. Only the artisans and some other shopkeepers, often protected from the sommer heat in their shops, would still keep a semblance of activity this summer. Summer was in mannheim, as in many other cities in Wurttemberg a much awaited and favored season. Everywhere would people put a stop to their daily routines and to devote more time to social activities. Everything seem to announce, in Nature as in the disposition of the human beings, that it was time to take a pause. Only the young persons would still wander and run around the city, however, above all, they would prefer to take long walks in the forests and fields near the city and to lose themselves in all sorts of new games in the midst of Nature. In summertime, the days always seem too short for these youngsters, when it comes to enjoying games and having laughs with the friends.

Things are a little different with the adults. Still obliged to fulfill a minimum of duty even during the day, they can only enjoy the activities suitable with the perfect weather, from midday on, and it is then for these otherwise very busy handworkers and farmers to indulge into a nap. Short but so sweet moments of physical where people can at will follow the spirit of the season.

Through the window of his rented room, Schiller looked with the eyes of an amazed child the vista of the city. He has just recently signed his contract as poet in residence with Mannheim Theater and enjoys for the first time his freedom in the city. Indeed, Mannheim with its modest but elegant houses has become a symbol of freedom for him. His contract with the theatre would only run in a few weeks and for now, he would really, beside his writing work, spend long hours throughout the city, free in his movments as in his soul, in the most pleasant walks. Often, he too would also dare to wander in the surrounding forests. Only there would he find and remember again the pleasant feelings which he used to have as a boy in Ludwigsburg or as a fugitive in Bauerbach.From the surroundings of the trees and the humming birds, he would deirve a certain calm, a rejuvenating warmth which had the most pleasant effect not only on his body.

- „I would very much spend long hours here with the trees and the birds! Ah! How nice would that be!", would he often confess to himself not without a regret.

However his previous condition would still make him worry of such lonely moments in the woods, far from any human help. Who knows who could hide behind tese trees? Who knows whether the men of Duke Charls Eugene would want somethimg bad to him precisely in these isolated place? He would then rapidly take his way back to Mannheim in order to saty home and maybe indulge with a nap to wait for lesser warm hours. His instinctive fear would still seize him for a couple of weeks during his free moments in Mannheim.

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Chapter 14: Under friendlier skies

2011-04-25T22:28:00.000-07:00

Chapter 14: Under friendlier skies

When Charlotte drives Schiller

It is the end of November in Mannheim and the winter nights would now require people to gather before the fireplace with tea or warm wine during the long evenings, among small circles of friends. These were the common instances for people to find occasions to warm the heart and sustain the body from the usually rash and humid winter in Palatinate. The heart would particularly rejoice in finding warmth and enthusiasm from the company of like mind people or at least people with the same interest during these long months where the events for the greater public where rare.

Charlotte Kalb would decide to open a small winter salon for her small circle of friends this year as her small son, now, would not any more require her close supervision during the long nights. Tonight, Dalberg and Schiller would be the only guests in her salon. Her other acquaintances were apparently not yet used to her sense of humor and have preferred to spend a calmer evening somewhere else.

However, two articulate and cultured men only for herself was a very satisfying idea for The Kalb. Lavishly lying on her sofa, her hair falling on her bare shoulders, she could really pass for an authentic intellectual who has spent the last decade welcoming the most influential personalities in her salon. After the usual banalities about the latest news about their acquaintances, the three friends would then discuss about their projects for the coming weeks. Dalberg would ever more plan bringing on stage the most fashionable plays about which he has received the most positive critiques in the newspapers, but would still confess that he would rather, first, consider the opinions heard in the various salons in Mannheim before venturing anything. For this purpose, he would very much appreciate the company of the Kalb for his next visits.

- „Would you like to join us, Schiller?", would then the Kalb rather curiously asked, noticing the lack of interest of her friend for their plan.
- „No, I would have to work further on my plays this and the following week, I am afraid. Otherwise I would not have anything to deliver to the theater directors. No, thanks! Not this time at least!", replied Schiller, suddenly concerned with his material situation.
- „By the way, Schiller. Did you ever try to read one of your work for the Duke of Weimar-Saxony? At least, with him, you would have the assurance that your work would be heard by someone who really understand and appreciate literature! Many young writers have already received his patronage. You should really plan reading your works in Weimar! What do you think about this idea?" would then Charlotte Kalb asking him, not really displeased about her own idea. "Would that not be a great occasion to advance your career?", would she then continue with a light and jolly voice.
- „Indeed, why don't plan to make a visit in Weimar next year? Being acquainted with Duke Charles August would certainly not harm your cause!", would then Dalberg be adding, supporting his friend's idea.

Schiller would find the idea excellent for a few seconds. However, soon afterward he would admit to his two friends that he did not know anyone in the entourage of the Duke and that the same Duke of Weimar-Saxony must already know about his reputation from his relatives in Stuttgart. He would not want risk attracting the anger of such a prominent man for now. Certainly, later on, when his destiny would be more favorable, he would certainly do the trip in Weimar.

- „Die Idea, I must confess, is really charming, however, not really realistic!", would he then announce to his friends.

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Chapter 15: Deception with Körner and Minna Stock

2011-04-25T22:01:00.015-07:00

Chapter 15: Deception with Körner and Minna Stock

En route to Dresden

Hence must Schiller once again gather his belongings and pack, this time to take with determination the route to Dresden. What should await him there? Who should he trust there? Would the persecution finally cease once there? Would he finally find a decent job there with a decent pay?

His head would be filled with thousand little but essential questions as he was packing. He thought only that every time something good was happening in his life, must many other things would go wrong, and throw him into this state of insecurity with which he wanted to put a definitive end by coming to Leipzig. In Mannheim, he did have the right job with the right pay, and yet lacked him the necessary support to push his chance, and pave the way for the successful career he wanted. Should he now find the right friendly and supportive environment in Leipzig, and then the appropriate job and income would lack him desperately. He was then rather happy to leave his student room in Huber's home.

On September 11th, 1785, as the sun has not yet fully unraveled its warm rays upon the city, would Schiller prepare himself to bid farewell to Huber during a frugal and rapid breakfast. Huber did not look his best this morning, but Schiller was so eager to leave that he was very little concerned about the mood of this otherwise good friend. He only promised to help him further when they will see each other again in Dresden. For now, he has to finish his breakfast and catch a coach. The begging eyes of Huber would the least concern him.

- „Don't worry! You will find a good outcome with your marriage plan with Dora later on! Take care!", would Schiller say to him as he was leaving the house.

There he was again in the streets of Leipzig, alone and determined. The usually busy and noisy streets of Leipzig were for the time deserted. This farewell must lead to another beginning. With this farewell, he leaves a known situation which should lead him to a completely new one.

- "But who did say that a new beginning must be a known and secure beginning? Does not a known but unwanted ending usually leads to a new but unknown beginning?", would he then try to reassure himself as he was going towards the meeting place with the coach.

The sun was now spreading generously its luminous rays upon the city and streets of Leipzig. The day would again be sunny and probably very hot. Not the perfect weather for a long trip, but a good condition anyway, thought he.

Schiller would now rush his steps in order to find and catch the coach on time. The carriage was already on the agreed place as he bursts into the quiet and deserted place, and with rush, as if he wanted to leave Leipzig at once, he would give to the coach, greeting him with a large smile as he was opening the door. He sees in there, calmly seated, a young woman, dressed in red, her brown curls falling unruly upon her forehead as she was reading some notes on a piece of paper. As she turned her face towards him, then he would notice the eyes with the distinctive makeup and the redness of the lips.....

- „Charlotte! Charlotte Kalb! What are you doing here!?", would he then loudly ask, hardly containing his surprise.
- „Hush, my dear!", would the Kalb, putting a Finger on his Lips, smiling disarmingly, give as an answer to him.

The expression on her face was all smile and contentment. Schiller could not really believe it:

- „The Kalb!! Here in Leipzig! What for!?" thought he, at the same time taken aback and happy about this unexpected appearance.

Summoning his courage, he would then ask her:

- „How did you exactly know about my whereabouts this morning? How long have you been here in Leipzig?", knowing how intrusive and assertive this Lady Macbeth-in-waiting could be.

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Chapter 16: False trail

2011-04-25T22:01:00.014-07:00

Chapter 16: False trail

In Dresden

January was always white in Dresden only this time the snow never seems to cease falling, for almost a week now. All the houses were covered with snow and also the streets of the city, despite the arduous work of shoveling of the local authorities. This slowly falling snow, however, gave to this imperial city a peaceful and immaculate impression. The people of Dresden as always, were nowhere to be seen in the numerous streets and places of the city, as soon as the morning rush to fetch food or wood mostly a concern among the population of the citizen part of city was over. Even the palatial quarters appeared all empty, and only in the evening, with the candle lights on, could people trace any human presence in these splendid residences.

All along the banks of the river Elbe, people could see, day by day, the height of the snow increasing. This afternoon, there was no one to be seen on both banks of the river which was, by the way, half frozen. It was neither too cold nor too windy, but people could foresee that wind and snow will again unfurl in full force. Only the movements of some ice plaques could let people warn that this powerful river was still running despite the overall impression of freeze. Schiller, as he was passing before the Frauenkirche from his promenade near the riverbank in direction of the town, saw from afar the dark head of Martin Luther's bronze statue emerging from a stack of snow.

- „Luther must be very cold", thought he, rather amused by the sight of this famous statue half buried under the snow.
Almost at the same time, however, all his childhood memories about his sincere yearnings to become a Lutheran pastor, to help his fellows would come back to him.
- „Where are my dreams now? Where are they now? What happened to my dearest yearnings?"
He saw everywhere only a white, spotless, almost virginal surrounding, from which any failure, any imperfection had no place. The statue of Martin Luther itself seems to be watching over all this quite, harmonious setting. He looked everywhere and saw nothing that could reflect his worries and inner turmoil.
- "My dreams have all gone! They are dead!"
Everywhere, Schiller saw only the reflection of his shattered dreams: the majestic Frauenkirche and the statue of Martin Luther, all surrounded by pristine, white snow that gave them a natural but splendid setting.
- „Hmm. Indeed, Luther must be very cold!", remembering his former promises.
He would then almost run away from this place walking towards town. He would also promise himself, never more to walk by the Frauenkirche or this statue. He then felt the cold wind blowing sharply on his face. The cold wind turned suddenly into whirl and started to send the snow flowing in all directions. Schiller would then realize that this was really not a good day for a walk.

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Chapter 17: The other Dalberg

2011-04-25T22:01:00.013-07:00

Chapter 17: The other Dalberg

Good news from France

Schiller has finished moving in Rudolstadt itself by August after a couple of months in Volkstadt where he has quite enjoyed the anonymity. Now, with his friendship with the local gentry, in particular with the Lengefeld sisters, he was more attentive in his behaviors and manners. He wanted to avoid another scandal or even the slightest rumors during his stay in Rudolstadt, or at least, until his purpose in this city has been fulfilled.

He visited the Lengefeld sisters as much as he could, but above all, he spent also long hours in his rented room, fulfilling his publishing engagements as soon as possible. Hence, he spent the rest of the summer between palatial visits by the Lengefelds where his courtship were now a public matter, and his small rented room, where he worked relentlessly, often forgetting to take appropriate meals, eating mostly bread and fruits.

October was always a month that reminded the people in Thuringia, as in the rest of the northern cities in Germany, of the definite end of the warm and long days. In Thuringia also, October would see the rapid change of the leaves color from a dark green to intense yellow or red before finally falling down. People were still profiting from this rather clement weather to make the last long promenades in the woods, picking whatever were still left in the vicinity of the Rudolstadt forests, by the hordes of children and hunters that have raided most of them in all secrecy these otherwise private forests.

Schiller would still have another of his pamphlet „The government of the Jesuits in Paraguay" published in the „German Mercury". Indeed, the fate of Jesuits in the German nations hat interested him for quite some time and this was the occasion for him to point out at the supposed efficiency of this kind of government: the concept of total obedience and ultimate sacrifice, the promise of a life in paradise.

He was now enjoying a greater freedom for publishing such a type of writing as the overall reticence against anything catholic was still prevailing in the northern German nations and as Wieland, the publisher of the „German Mercury", enjoyed, at least in Saxony, an authority before which any censure would be coming from a much higher power to have any chance of success against the will of such a prominent man in Weimar. Indeed, Wieland hat simply asked Schiller to merge his „Thalia" with his own literary journal in order to become the most important national title in its genre.

Exhausted by his long hours working on his historical writings, Schiller wanted to celebrate this very small but meaningful step in his life, as someone the caliber of Wieland would dare ask his collaboration on an equal basis. Earlier in October, Crusius, his new editor in Leipzig has also published the first part of the „History of the secession of the Netherlands from Spanish ruling", in quite promising terms. Now, he wanted to have company around him just to still feel alive among other human beings. In the nearby Inn were he used to take his meals whenever possible, Schiller had joined other guests at a table where a passionate discussion has already started.

The elaborate debate of these otherwise very humble people were about the news in France where the King Louis XVI, pressed by the popular discontent, has recognized the French Protestants as his subjects and have allowed them to be inscribed in the official register. The object of the debate, however, was the abolition of the practice of torture in France.

- „At least their movement has produced some results! When will our authorities abolish torture in Thuringia?", would someone on the table utter quite with indignation to the others. „Tell me when would such a thing happen in this country?"

- „Yeah! I have also heard that in France, even the aristocrats are against the land possession and people even say that maybe, the peasants will be able to own some land!

The aristocrats would only incite the peasants against the centralized authority of the French King.

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Chapter 18: Duke Charles August pulls the strings

2011-04-25T22:01:00.012-07:00

Chapter 18: Duke Charles August pulls the strings

The permission to marry

After a few days were he would swear and damn all the administrators in Weimar, Schiller began to see the positive aspects of his nomination. First of all, being able to carry the title of a professor was in itself a great achievement, knowing all the detours that he had to take to land this title, which was to crown all his previous writings. Jena University was a prestigious institution, known for its ground-breaking works in various fields and looking at the name of some prominent past and current colleagues, he could not but feel a little boost in his pride. Being recognized as an equal to some of these revered colleagues really filled his pride.

Yes, the vacant chair and the title was for a Philosophy Professor and yet he would teach History. Yes, the chair was given to him without any payment, but if he feels good enough in his field, if he should possess enough passion for his subject, then he should have enough paying students enrolling in his lecture even in the most modest auditorium.

All he has to do now, is prepare his first lecture, upon which his glory and fortune should all rely. The Schiller who was now preparing his lecture with fire and passion, is a conquering professor, a professor who did not want to miss his entry into this temple of Prussian excellence in teaching and research. Indeed, he was well aware that there are still some reluctance to be overcome within the academic community at Jena University, but he was determined to assert his competence and eloquence in his first lectures.

For that end, he would then prepare a set of first lectures for the various students at the university and another one for the inner circle of administrators and professors. He still did not give up the idea of becoming a writer in Weimar, and this nomination in Jena, which he first considered as an appointment geared at sending him away from the centre of power, he would use to broadcast and boast his governance style.

He would then write three other lectures for this inner circle: these would be „The advent of Moses", „The legislature of Solon and Lycurgus" and „On the human being transition into Freedom and Humanity: facts about the first human society according to Mosaic documents.", three lectures in which he would assert his proficiency in anything concerning governance.

Officially, he had earned his Philosophy Professor title for his recognized work „The partition of the united Netherlands from Spanish ruling", but Schiller was determined to conquer the minds and hearts of these prominent with his next lectures. Afterwards, so the newly appointed professor would count, these officials would do the rest of the job.

As he was preparing his next step in his already successful and yet so hectic professional life, he realized that at least with this nomination, he would get the permission to marry his long-time, Charlotte Lengefeld. At the age of 30, which was quite late for marriage for men of his generation, Schiller would now put all his hopes, all his energy into this unusual appointment at Jena University.

With this disguised ban from Weimar, the city of his professional and political dreams, he would devise a turnaround strategy aimed a giving him a better use of his skills. The former officer would search all venues and combinations to make of his exile in Jena into the most important weapon for his future profession in Weimar. With determination, with skillful moves, he would write the book of his future life, in which he was, at the same time, the author and the subject.

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Chapter 19: The author and his authority

2011-04-25T22:01:00.011-07:00

Chapter 19: The author and his authority

The counselor

For years, Schiller hat fought against all the odds to make a decent living, sometimes just to stay alive. For many long years, he has sought to assert, months after months all his credentials to obtain the smallest permission, months after months, the cruel and insuperable demands of destiny have always kept him somehow away from his innermost conviction: he wanted to be a writer. And then suddenly, without even asking for it, the tides have turned to his advantages. Without even knowing what to ask, even without being aware to whom to ask, all sorts of good news were, finally, catapulting him at the top of the waves.

One after the other, the circumstances would change favorably for him: he did not even precisely know whom he should be thankful to, as one after the other, privileges and marks of gratitude would flow to him. And all this he owes to just one announcement: that of his next wedding to Charlotte Lengefeld.

Who was responsible for this wink of destiny? The ever caring Charlotte Stein? The influential Coadjutor Dahlberg? The scheming Uncle Frederick? Who did unravel the tightly knotted web of his former destiny? Schiller could not believe that it was his marriage alone.

From everywhere, the couple would receive honors and presents, something to which Schiller was never used to, in his humble and solitary life. Duke Charles August of Weimar-Saxony would allocate to the newly married couple the huge sum of 200 Talers, to celebrate the event. In 1781, back in Stuttgart, Schiller remembered that he was paid for his services as Doctor the ridiculous monthly salary of 3 Talers. This sum were allocated to them to begin their wedding under the most auspicious beginning.

The Duke of Meiningen would also appoint him as counselor and give him the corresponding yearly treatment, as a compensation for the loss of nobility privileges that Charlotte would automatically face with her marriage to a commoner.

Mrs. Lengefeld, Charlotte's mother, before the insistence of her daughter and bowing also certainly from the pressure, which was unnoticed by the young couple, of her pairs, would finally give her consent to the wedding. She would even promise to give them an annual Pension of 150 Talers.

His good friend, the editor Goschen would promise to give him the incredible sum of 400 Talers for his finished manuscript of "The story of the 30 Year war", an amount never heard before for Schiller.

Many other sums, although of smaller amounts, would be given them by their friends and Schiller's colleagues as the news about their coming wedding was spreading.

Schiller, despite all these marks of sympathy did not feel totally at ease to hold the celebrations either in Jena or in Rudolstadt. Something was telling him not to fully trust the surrounding in those two cities. In fact, he dreaded some ominous event during his wedding. Was it the revenge of the abandoned Charlotte Kalb that he was fearing? Was it the hostile reaction of the Korners, and particularly of Minna who showed her total opposition with his plan to marry a noble woman? Schiller did not know exactly what to expect. He was, however, sure of one thing: he did not want to take any chance with the celebration of his wedding.

Something very strange for the good societies in Jena and Rudolstadt would then happen: the young couple would keep the date and place of their wedding to all their friends, families and colleagues, secret.

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Chapter 20: The war of the princes

2011-04-25T22:01:00.009-07:00

Chapter 20: The war of the princes

Suffering in his flesh

During this regrettable period, Schiller would constantly suffer from acute stomachaches and constipation as well as intermittent headaches which he would keep for the rest of his life. From dawn to dusk, he would be subject to the most incredible pains that would leave him crippled, exhausted on his bed for several days.

Having pursued all his science on his patient, his doctor would then recommend him to have a thermal treatment, in order to hasten the reemergence of the natural defenses of his otherwise strong body constitution. With the advice of Lotte, they would together choose the renown thermal town of Karlsbad. Accompanied with a medical assistant and his sister-in-law Karoline Beulwitz, they would together travel to this city, actually quite unsure of the benefits such treatment would have on the health of Schiller.

During the trip, however, Schiller would appear calm and if it were not for his countenance, he would maintain the most dignified composure. Lotte, however, knew very well how much he suffered in his most inner organs, in his flesh. Now, both Lotte would know the torture of having someone seriously sick and not knowing how to appease his sufferings. Schiller would now envisage the future with all his dark memories born from his difficult childhood and carried along his no lesser chaotic adult life.

The period of happiness which he has known the past few months seemed to him, in his momentary delirium, as a dream and constantly prey to some insidious and crippling pains, he would then think about Lotte's future should death separate them.

"Lotte! What should happen to you if I should die? Who will take care of you?", would he then ask her, slowly, with great effort, his eyes starring fixedly on her eyes.
- "Silliness! Of course you will not die! Now, will you please remain silent!? We still have long hours before reaching Karlsbad." would she answer, covering his bleak face with her kisses. "Please remain still, my dear! You must not have such silly ideas!".

A timid smile would then frown the face of Schiller. In his suffering, he thought that he still has the chance of having such a loving and patient wife by his side. All of a sudden, he did not feel any more the terrible weight of his former lonely years and the corresponding mental torments.

He closed his eyes and let the monotonous sounds of the horses and carriage on the dry road to Karlsbad lull him. The felicity of the last months has been most beneficial to him. For a couple of months, he has known the perfect happiness with his wife, together in Jena. Now that he was thinking of it, it was too much and this experience of total bliss with his wife must be taking its toll, as his mind and body have never been used to live in such a state of complete surrender.

- "To such an extreme pleasure must correspond an extreme pain", was he then thinking to himself, trying to rationalize what was happening to him.

But at the same time, he could not take from his mind the idea that all his symptoms correspond to that of a poisoning.

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Chapter 21: The exile in Jena

2011-04-25T22:01:00.007-07:00

Chapter 21: The exile in Jena

War at the frontiers

Since the beginning of the year, the most diverse and sometimes contradictory news would come from the political situation in France. The speculation would reach its climax as in March 1792, the news that the partisans of King Louis XVI was making significant gains in the French provinces. Many people in Jena, however, did not quite believe these news. For them, if a battle or a victory should be decisive, it has to be led in the center of the French power, in Paris. What worried many observers outside France was the persistent rumors about numerous outright murders and hasty deadly condemnations which took place in many different locations without people knowing exactly which side was responsible for them.
In Jena, as spring started to show timidly its nose all over the gardens and surrounding forests, the members of the academic community was divided about the position to be held vis a vis the French revolutionaries. The number of people who were, only a few months ago, proposing to join the French revolutionaries were now expressing their fervor for this enlightened event with a lot more reserve. Those who were deploring the lack of support of the European courts for Louis XVI were, to the contrary, even more outraged by the guilty idleness of the European Monarchs.
- "If they don't do anything, the civil war in France will be soon stretching into the German nations! They must do something!" was the usual outcry heard here and there in the offices and salons of Jena.
However, all of them were expressing the same fear: that the warring factions, unable to control the populace and the bands of robbers, would soon spread the state of lawlessness well into the German nations. This fear was indeed fueled rightfully with the urgency of the Prussian military situation on the northern and eastern fronts with Russia and Poland. Should any military activity be signaled at the frontiers with France, then Prussia would be left vulnerable, as the bulk of its armies and resources were now already concentrated on the war for the further division of Poland.
On the other side, people could not really think about recruiting further soldiers with the farmers, especially in Saxony. The ongoing war, which now has lasted 5 years, has already taken so many sons and husbands from the Saxon families, not counting the numerous mercenaries that Saxony had to pay from the neighboring states and particularly from Thuringia, and no one could really how two intensive wars could be lead at the same time. Saxony and the other German nations were now all facing a direct threat from the French revolutionaries, if the other European courts were not doing anything to remedy the situation.
Images of wild criminality and lawlessness were filling the minds of this good society, and people almost forgot that the situation in France should above all be considered as an ideological one. The people of Jena were having frights at the thoughts of all these revolutionaries invading their ordered city and wreaking havoc everywhere.
It was in this already tense and speculative atmosphere that another incredible news would break out in the morning, brought over from Weimar with the morning post.
- "Frederick Schiller has been awarded a honorary citizenship from the French revolutionaries!"
- "Schiller? A French citizen?"
No one could believe the news.
- "Why on earth would the French revolutionaries honor our Frederick Schiller?"

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