Mariamne
Trauer-Spiel
📘 About This Book
Johann Christian Hallmann: Mariamne. Trauer-Spiel Erstdruck: Breslau (Baumannische Erben Druckerei), 1670. Uraufführung Mai/Juni 1669, Breslau. Vollständige Neuausgabe mit einer Biographie des Autors. Herausgegeben von Karl-Maria Guth. Berlin 2014. Textgrundlage ist die Ausgabe: Johann Christian Hallmann: Sämtliche Werke. Herausgegeben von Gerhard Spellerberg, Berlin und New York: Walter de Gruyter, 1975. Die Paginierung obiger Ausgabe wird in dieser Neuausgabe als Marginalie zeilengenau mitgeführt. Umschlaggestaltung von Thomas Schultz-Overhage unter Verwendung des Bildes: John William Waterhouse, Mariamne, 1887. Gesetzt aus Minion Pro, 11 pt.
📖 Summary
Johann Christian Hallmann's dramatic work Mariamne stands as a striking example of seventeenth-century German theatrical art, capturing the intense emotional landscapes and formal structures characteristic of the period's drama. Originally brought to the stage in Breslau during the late spring of 1660s and subsequently published in 1670, this tragedy explores profound themes of power, loyalty, and personal destruction within a historical framework. The modern 2014 edition, edited by Karl-Maria Guth and published in Berlin, revitalizes this historical text for contemporary readers while preserving the rigorous scholarly context established by earlier critical editions, notably the foundational work of Gerhard Spellerberg. Spanning 113 pages, the book presents Hallmann's carefully crafted verse and dialogue, offering modern audiences a rare glimpse into the early developments of German-language dramatic literature. The narrative centers on the tragic figure of Mariamne, whose fate unfolds against a backdrop of political intrigue and emotional turmoil. Through elevated language and structured theatrical conventions, the play examines the heavy toll exacted by tyranny, jealousy, and the clash between personal integrity and absolute authority. The 2014 publication carefully retains the original pagination as marginal notes, ensuring that scholars and students can easily reference the authoritative text established by Spellerberg's comprehensive collection of Hallmann's complete works. Furthermore, the volume is enhanced by the inclusion of a detailed author biography, which contextualizes Hallmann's literary contributions within the broader landscape of Baroque drama. The physical presentation of the book reflects a thoughtful curation, featuring a cover design by Thomas Schultz-Overhage that incorporates John William Waterhouse's evocative 1887 painting of Mariamne, establishing an immediate visual connection to the timeless artistic fascination with the character's plight. Set cleanly in Minion Pro type, the edition balances scholarly utility with aesthetic appeal, making it an accessible yet rigorous artifact for literary enthusiasts. By exploring the depths of human suffering and political ruthlessness, Hallmann's Mariamne continues to resonate as a powerful exploration of tragedy. This modern edition ensures that the dramatist's voice remains preserved for scholars of Baroque literature, theater historians, and anyone deeply interested in the evolution of European dramatic traditions. Readers will find themselves immersed in a world where elevated rhetoric meets harrowing psychological conflict, providing a comprehensive window into the theatrical sensibilities of seventeenth-century Silesia and the enduring power of classical tragic forms.
🎯 Key Lessons
⚖️ Pros & Cons
✅ Pros
Preserves an important historical text of Baroque German drama.
Includes a comprehensive biography of author Johann Christian Hallmann.
Retains precise marginal pagination matching the standard scholarly edition.
Features thoughtful cover art utilizing a classic painting by John William Waterhouse.
⚠️ Cons
The seventeenth-century linguistic and dramatic style may feel dense to casual modern readers.
The academic focus is tailored primarily to scholars and theater historians rather than general fiction readers.
❓ FAQ
Who is the author of Mariamne? +
The play was written by the seventeenth-century dramatist Johann Christian Hallmann.
When was Mariamne originally performed and published? +
It was first performed in Breslau in May or June of 1669 and initially published there in 1670.
Who edited the 2014 modern edition of the book? +
The 2014 edition was edited by Karl-Maria Guth and published in Berlin.
What text basis was used for this modern edition? +
The text is based on the authoritative edition of Hallmann's complete works edited by Gerhard Spellerberg.
How many pages long is this edition? +
This modern publication spans 113 pages and includes a biography of the author.
