About
Frank Wedekind, born Benjamin Franklin Wedekind on July 24, 1864, in Hanover and died March 9, 1918, in Munich, was a German dramatist, poet, actor, journalist, and cabaret performer. A transitional figure between realism and Expressionism, he is known for his provocative plays exploring sexuality and human drives. His major work, 'Spring Awakening' (1891), deals with adolescent sexuality and caused a scandal. The Lulu cycle, comprising 'Earth Spirit' (1895) and 'Pandora's Box' (1904), features an amoral femme fatale. He also worked for the satirical weekly Simplicissimus and was imprisoned for lèse-majesté. His influence on Bertolt Brecht and the Theatre of the Absurd is notable.
* 1864-07-24 — † 1918-03-09
Major works
- Frühlings Erwachen (1891)play
- Erdgeist (1895)play
- Die Büchse der Pandora (1904)play
- Der Marquis von Keith (1900)play
- Franziska (1912)play
Key milestones
- 1898Imprisoned for six months for lèse-majesté following an article published in Simplicissimus.
- 1905First successful staging of 'Spring Awakening' by Max Reinhardt.
- 1986Posthumous publication of his diaries as 'Die Tagebücher: ein erotisches Leben'.
Themes
adolescent sexualityfemme fatalehuman drivessocial critiqueprecursor of Expressionism
Sources: id.loc.gov · britannica.com