G. E. Lessing: Emilia Galotti

The first European political drama or the first bourgeois tragedy, Emilia Galotti by the German Enlightenment thinker, playwright and dramatist Gotthold Ephraim Lessing is often described as such. The play was written in 1772, and although the central theme is a love triangle, it was considered a highly political piece in its day. In it, the author explores the processes of power relations between the aristocracy and the bourgeoisie, between men and women, while criticizing the orthodox approach to faith. The romantic tale of passion and intrigue combined with its socially critical appeal makes the play still attractive to audiences today.