Dialoganalyse Der Besuch Der Alten Dame

Friedrich Dürrenmatt's Der Besuch der alten Dame (The Visit) is a tragicomic play rich in social commentary. A significant aspect of understanding the play lies in analyzing the dialogue between the characters. This article provides a clear and practical guide to analyzing the dialogues within the play, focusing on key elements and illustrating them with relevant examples. The aim is to equip you with the tools to interpret the nuanced exchanges and understand their contribution to the play's overall meaning.

Grundlagen der Dialoganalyse

Before delving into specific examples from Der Besuch der alten Dame, it's crucial to understand the foundational elements of dialogue analysis. These elements provide a framework for a systematic and insightful interpretation.

Sprechakte (Speech Acts)

Speech act theory considers what actions are performed when someone says something. Every utterance aims to achieve something, be it a request, a promise, a threat, or a declaration. Identifying the speech acts in a dialogue helps unveil the speaker's intentions and influence on the listener. For instance, Claire Zachanassian's pronouncements are often declarations that shape the reality of Güllen, rather than simple statements of fact. Her offers are usually thinly veiled threats.

Implikaturen (Implicatures)

Implicatures are unspoken meanings implied within an utterance. A speaker often communicates more than what is explicitly said. Understanding these implicatures necessitates considering the context, the speaker's background, and the relationship between the speakers. Often, implicatures are conveyed through irony, sarcasm, or understatement. The citizens of Güllen, for example, rarely state their desire for wealth outright; instead, they hint at their needs and aspirations, hoping Claire will fulfill them. Their desire for new shoes, a new town hall, and other amenities are all implicatures linked to their underlying greed.

Gesprächsstrategien (Conversation Strategies)

Conversation strategies refer to the techniques speakers use to manage the flow and direction of a conversation. These strategies can include turn-taking, interruptions, topic shifts, and the use of questions to guide the discussion. The dialogues in Der Besuch der alten Dame are often characterized by shifts in power dynamics, reflected in the characters' conversational strategies. Claire, with her immense wealth, often dictates the terms of the conversation, while others attempt to appease her or subtly manipulate her decisions.

Sprachliche Mittel (Linguistic Devices)

Linguistic devices encompass various techniques like rhetorical questions, metaphors, similes, and irony. Analyzing the use of these devices can reveal the speaker's attitude, emotional state, and persuasive intent. Dürrenmatt uses irony extensively to highlight the hypocrisy and moral decay of the Gülleners. Their ostensibly moral pronouncements are often undermined by their actions and underlying greed.

Dialoganalyse in Der Besuch der alten Dame

Now, let's apply these elements to specific examples from Der Besuch der alten Dame to illustrate how dialogue analysis can enhance our understanding of the play.

Claire Zachanassian und Alfred Ill

The dialogues between Claire Zachanassian and Alfred Ill are central to the play's conflict. Their past relationship and Claire's quest for revenge fuel their exchanges. Consider this exchange:

Claire: Die Welt machte mich zu einer Hure, nun mache ich sie zu einem Bordell.

Ill: Claire, was willst du eigentlich?

Claire's statement is a powerful declaration. She is stating her intention to use her wealth to manipulate the world, turning it into a place where everything has a price. Her statement is both a threat and an explanation for her actions. Ill's question, "Claire, was willst du eigentlich?" appears innocent, but it betrays his anxiety and growing awareness of Claire's power and intentions. He already suspects her motive but tries to deny the obvious.

The use of du (you) and Sie (formal you) also plays a role. Initially, they address each other with du, reflecting their past intimacy. As the play progresses and Claire gains more power, she increasingly uses Sie towards Ill, creating a distance and emphasizing her superiority. This shift in address reveals the changing power dynamics between them.

Die Güllener und Ill

The dialogues between Ill and the citizens of Güllen reveal the gradual shift in their attitude towards him. Initially, they are friendly and supportive, hoping to benefit from Claire's promised donation if Ill is killed. As their desire for wealth intensifies, their language becomes more ambiguous and their veiled threats become more apparent. Consider the scene where the Gülleners buy new shoes:

Der Lehrer: Wir müssen zusammenhalten, Ill. Für unsere Stadt!

Ill: Natürlich, Herr Lehrer. Ich verstehe.

The teacher's statement, "Wir müssen zusammenhalten, Ill. Für unsere Stadt!" is an implicature. On the surface, it appears to be a statement of solidarity. However, given the context of the play and the Gülleners' increasing indebtedness, it implies a silent agreement that Ill must be sacrificed for the sake of the town's prosperity. Ill's response, "Natürlich, Herr Lehrer. Ich verstehe," demonstrates his growing awareness of his impending fate.

Notice the repetition of phrases like "Für unsere Stadt" throughout the play. These seemingly patriotic pronouncements are ironic, as they mask the Gülleners' selfish motives. Dürrenmatt uses this irony to expose the hypocrisy of the townspeople and their willingness to sacrifice morality for material gain.

Die Presse und Claire

The dialogue between the press and Claire showcases her calculated manipulation of public opinion. She controls the narrative through carefully crafted statements and staged appearances. She uses seemingly benevolent and philanthropic language to mask her sinister intentions. The reporters are easily swayed by her charm and wealth, failing to critically examine her motives.

The seemingly neutral questions asked by the reporters provide a platform for Claire to disseminate her carefully constructed image. Her answers are designed to portray her as a generous benefactor, obscuring the vengeful nature of her visit. The lack of critical questioning highlights the press's complicity in the unfolding tragedy.

Zusammenfassend

Analyzing the dialogues in Der Besuch der alten Dame requires a close examination of speech acts, implicatures, conversation strategies, and linguistic devices. By paying attention to these elements, you can uncover the hidden meanings, power dynamics, and moral complexities that underpin the play. The dialogues are not merely conversations; they are carefully crafted exchanges that reveal the characters' motivations, their relationships, and the corrupting influence of wealth and revenge. Remember to analyze who is speaking, to whom, and in what context. This will allow you to more fully appreciate the depth and complexity of Dürrenmatt's play. The use of irony, metaphors, and veiled threats all contribute to the play's overall message about the dangers of unchecked greed and the erosion of moral values.