Besuch Der Alten Dame Diogenes

Friedrich Dürrenmatt's tragicomic play Besuch der alten Dame (The Visit) is a cornerstone of 20th-century German-language literature. This guide aims to provide expats, newcomers, and anyone interested in understanding the play with a clear and practical overview of its plot, themes, characters, and its enduring significance.

Plot Summary

The story unfolds in the dilapidated town of Güllen, a once-prosperous place now crippled by poverty and unemployment. Claire Zachanassian, a multi-billionaire and former resident of Güllen, returns after many years. The townspeople, desperate for economic relief, see her arrival as a potential salvation. They prepare a grand welcome, hoping she will invest in their struggling community.

Alfred Ill, a respected shopkeeper and popular figure in Güllen, is chosen as the representative to plead the town's case. He was Claire's youthful lover but betrayed her in the past. Claire, however, has not come to simply donate money. She makes a shocking proposition: she will donate one billion (marks/francs depending on the production) to Güllen, but only if someone kills Alfred Ill.

The townspeople initially reject Claire's offer with moral outrage. The mayor, the schoolmaster, and the doctor all vehemently declare that they prioritize justice over money. They assert that Güllen is still a town of principles and humanity. This declaration, however, proves to be a facade. The allure of wealth gradually erodes their moral compass.

As the days pass, Güllen experiences a subtle but significant shift. The townspeople, anticipating Claire's donation, begin buying luxury goods on credit. They purchase new shoes, expensive food, and other items they could previously only dream of. Alfred Ill becomes increasingly isolated and fearful. He notices the change in the townsfolk’s behavior and senses the impending danger.

Ill seeks help from the police, the mayor, and the priest, but they all offer him evasive answers or implicit encouragement to accept his fate. He realizes that the desire for wealth has overtaken the town's collective conscience. Even his own family, driven by the promise of financial security, subtly pressures him to cooperate with Claire's demand.

Eventually, the townsfolk, spurred on by their growing debt and the promise of a better future, gather in the town hall for a "vote" on Claire's offer. The atmosphere is thick with tension and veiled threats. Through carefully manipulated circumstances and a calculated display of "justice," Alfred Ill is surrounded by the crowd and killed. The death is portrayed as a collective accident, a sudden and tragic event that no one individually planned.

After Ill's death, the doctor examines the body and declares that he died of a heart attack. This thinly veiled lie allows the townspeople to maintain a semblance of innocence. Claire, satisfied that justice has been served (according to her definition), writes the check for one billion. The play ends with the rejuvenated town of Güllen celebrating its newfound prosperity, stained by the blood of Alfred Ill.

Key Characters

Claire Zachanassian: The vengeful and immensely wealthy protagonist. She is a symbol of power, corruption, and the destructive potential of wealth. Her wealth gives her the power to manipulate and corrupt an entire community. Her prosthetic limbs and other physical alterations are visual reminders of her past traumas and the price she paid for her survival.
Alfred Ill: The former lover of Claire and the designated victim. He represents the individual who is sacrificed for the collective greed. Initially, he is a respected and popular figure, but he becomes increasingly isolated and desperate as the town turns against him.
The Mayor: The embodiment of political opportunism. He initially opposes Claire's offer but gradually succumbs to the pressure of the community's desires. He represents the hypocrisy and moral compromise prevalent in the play.
The Schoolmaster: Represents intellectual and moral decline. He is initially a voice of reason and defends humanism, but ultimately betrays his principles for the sake of financial security. His alcoholism is a symptom of his moral decay.
The Doctor: Represents the erosion of professional ethics. He participates in the charade surrounding Ill's death, demonstrating the corruption that permeates all levels of society.
The Priest: Offers Ill superficial comfort but ultimately fails to protect him. He represents the impotence of religious institutions in the face of overwhelming greed.
The Townspeople: Collectively represent the dangers of mob mentality and the corrupting influence of money. They are initially portrayed as ordinary people, but their desire for wealth transforms them into a ruthless and morally bankrupt crowd.

Themes

Justice and Revenge: The play explores the difference between legal justice and personal revenge. Claire's demand for Ill's death is a form of vigilante justice, driven by her past betrayal and suffering. The play questions whether such revenge can ever truly be justified.
Wealth and Corruption: Dürrenmatt critiques the corrupting influence of wealth on individuals and society. The promise of financial security leads the townspeople to abandon their moral principles and commit a heinous act.
Collective Guilt and Responsibility: The play examines the concept of collective guilt and the diffusion of responsibility within a group. While no single individual directly murders Ill, the entire community is complicit in his death.
Moral Decay: Güllen's transformation from a struggling but morally upright town to a prosperous but morally bankrupt one illustrates the theme of moral decay. The play suggests that economic hardship can erode a society's ethical foundations.
The Individual vs. Society: Ill's struggle against the collective will of the town highlights the tension between the individual and society. He is ultimately sacrificed to satisfy the community's desire for wealth, illustrating the power of social pressure.

Interpretations and Analysis

Besuch der alten Dame is a complex and multi-layered play that has been interpreted in various ways. Some critics see it as a satire on post-war German society, highlighting the country's obsession with economic recovery and its willingness to compromise moral values in the pursuit of prosperity. Others interpret it as a broader critique of human nature, suggesting that greed and self-interest are inherent flaws that can lead to corruption and violence.

The play's ending is deliberately ambiguous. While Güllen achieves economic success, it does so at the cost of its moral soul. Dürrenmatt leaves it to the audience to decide whether the price was worth paying. He prompts reflection on the meaning of justice, the nature of morality, and the consequences of unchecked greed.

Enduring Significance

Besuch der alten Dame remains relevant today because its themes continue to resonate with contemporary audiences. The play's exploration of wealth inequality, political corruption, and the erosion of ethical values remains highly pertinent in a world grappling with similar challenges. Its masterful use of tragicomedy, its complex characters, and its thought-provoking themes make it a timeless work of literature that continues to provoke and inspire debate.

The play is often studied in schools and universities, and it is frequently performed in theaters around the world. Its enduring popularity is a testament to its power and its ability to shed light on the darker aspects of human nature.

Understanding the Play's Style

Dürrenmatt's writing style is characterized by a blend of tragedy and comedy, often referred to as tragicomedy. This approach allows him to explore serious themes in a way that is both engaging and thought-provoking. The play's dialogue is sharp and witty, and the characters are often portrayed with a mixture of sympathy and satire.

The use of symbolism is also a prominent feature of Dürrenmatt's writing. Claire Zachanassian's prosthetic limbs, for example, represent her past traumas and her ability to overcome adversity, but also her artificiality and detachment from humanity. The new yellow shoes purchased by the townspeople symbolize their newfound wealth and their growing complicity in Ill's fate.

The play can be seen as a cautionary tale about the dangers of unchecked greed and the importance of upholding moral principles, even in the face of economic hardship. It forces the audience to confront uncomfortable truths about human nature and the choices we make when faced with difficult circumstances.

Further Exploration

For those wishing to delve deeper into the play, consider exploring critical analyses of Besuch der alten Dame, watching film adaptations, or attending a live performance. Engaging with these resources will provide a richer and more nuanced understanding of this literary masterpiece.