Frank Wedekind (1864–1918,) fully Benjamin Franklin Wedekind, was a German playwright, poet, and actor known for his bold critiques of bourgeois morality and his influence on Expressionist theatre. His works explored sexuality, repression, and societal hypocrisy, paving the way for modernist drama.
Born in Hanover, he spent much of his youth in Switzerland before moving to Munich, where he became involved in journalism, cabaret, and theatre. His early career included work as a circus secretary and advertising manager before turning to playwriting.
His most famous works include Frühlings Erwachen (1891, Spring Awakening,) a controversial play on adolescent sexuality and oppression; Erdgeist (1895, Earth Spirit😉 and Die Büchse der Pandora (1904, Pandora’s Box,) which introduced the femme fatale character Lulu and later inspired Alban Berg’s opera Lulu (1935.) Other notable works include Der Kammersänger (1899, The Court Singer,) Der Marquis von Keith (1900, The Marquis of Keith,) and Franziska (1912.)
Wedekind’s satirical style led to censorship and imprisonment, but his influence endured, shaping German theatre and modern drama.
More: Wikipedia • READ: Works by Frank Wedekind
Any fool can have bad luck; the art consists in knowing how to exploit it
—Frank Wedekind
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