A review by marc129
The Robbers (Illustrated Edition) (Dodo Press) by Friedrich Schiller

2.5

I can understand why this play was so popular at the time (end of the 18th century): formally it has an incredibly fast rhythm, with a continuous succession of scenes and also quite a bit of action; and in terms of content it focuses on the theme of freedom and the free or unfree human will. Of course, the drama of the fratricidal struggle (this is a kind of Cain and Abel story) is also very appealing. And the many monologues, in which the main characters show self-insight, give this play a very Shakespearean ‘feel’. 

But there is a downside. The story is shaky on all sides; Schiller was clearly not very concerned with the structure of his play and with the credibility of the twists. The female character Amalia also does not really come into its own. And the excessive pathos, the high-flown dialogues really are over the top. Thus, all in all, a mixed experience.