Play on Words

full length · drama

Minna Von Barnhelm

by Gotthold Ephraim Lessing · translated by Ernest Bell

11 roles (0M / 0F / 11 any) · approx 147–203 minutes · 5 acts

Royalty-free Public domain — free to read, perform, and adapt. No licence needed.

Characters

Maj. T lead 264 speeches
Min lead 251 speeches
Fran lead 197 speeches
Just supporting 126 speeches
Wer supporting 121 speeches
Land supporting 108 speeches
Ric minor 33 speeches
Lady minor 12 speeches
Ser minor 8 speeches
Count minor 8 speeches
Ord minor 4 speeches

Read the play

Minna, Franziska

Min. Now I have found him again, Franziska! Do you hear? Now I have found him again! I scarcely know where I am for joy! Rejoice with me, Franziska. But why should you? And yet you shall; you must rejoice with me. Come, I will make you a present, that you may be able to rejoice with me. Say, Franziska, what shall I give you? Which of my things would please you? What would you like? Take what you will; only rejoice with me. I see you will take nothing. Stop! (Thrusts her hand into the desk.) There, Franziska, (gives her money) buy yourself what you like. Ask for more, if it be not sufficient; but rejoice with me you must. It is so melancholy to be happy alone. There, take it, then.

Fran. It is stealing it from you, my lady. You are intoxicated, quite intoxicated with joy.

Min. Girl, my intoxication is of a quarrelsome kind. Take it, or (forcing money into her hand) ... and if you thank me... Stay, it is well that I think of it. (Takes more money from the desk.) Put that aside, Franziska, for the first poor wounded soldier who accosts us.

Monologues from this play