Cover of Pandora's Box: A Tragedy in Three Acts by Frank Wedekind Ebook Pandora's Box: A Tragedy in Three Acts
Ebook · Sovereign

Pandora's Box: A Tragedy in Three Acts

Author
Frank Wedekind
Series
World Classics
Language
English
Length
82 pages
ISBN
9781910660355
Published
5 January 2015
Imprint
Sovereign
  • Lulu
  • Pandora
  • Pandora's Box
  • Die Buchse der Pandora
  • lust
  • greed
  • consumerism
  • expressionism
  • epic
  • drama

Description

Pandora's Box opens as we await Lulu's arrival after she has been sprung from prison in an elaborate plot. The lesbian Countess Geschwitz, who remains in love with Lulu, has swapped identities with her and takes Lulu's place in prison, hoping that Lulu will love her in return. Alwa Schön, the writer, succumbs to Lulu's charms, despite her having murdered his father. Lulu and Alwa, get married and live in their lavish home until share prices in their investments collapse leaving them penniless and forcing Lulu to work as a prostitute. Lulu's first client is the pious mute Mr Hopkins. Alwa is killed by Lulu's next visitor, the African prince Kungu Poti. Jack the Ripper, her final client, argues with her about her fee.

Author

Frank Wedekind (1864–1918) was the German dramatist of Lulu — Earth Spirit and Pandora's Box — a tragedy of desire that later became opera and a century's scandal. He wrote against the polite stage, putting sex and money in the same hard light. Three titles here. The plays still feel like a door kicked open in a drawing room.