Figure 1.-- Here we see a depiction of the Wilhelm Tell story in a 1507 wood cut. Yells Apfelschuss von Meister D.S. Click on the image to see a 19th century depiction.

Friedrich Schiller is one of Germany's most noted poet, dramatist, historian and philosopher. Along with Gothe he is c0nsidered a founder of German literature. He is widely considered second only to Goethe. He was born in November 11, 1759 in a small village Marbach near Stuttgart in Württemberg. We know little about his childhood. His work in German language have similar importance in literature than Shakespeare’s work in Britain. (Shakespeare of course is also important linguistically as he wrote a time when modern English was just begin to emerge.) Schiller wrort with an already well-developed German language. His first important play was "Die Råuber", a fairly standard Sturm und Drang play (1781). A major work was "An die Freude" (1785), this was the ode to joy used by Beethoven in his 9th SymphoThis was followed by one of his most notable works--Don Carlos (1787). There were several historical works--a genre Schiller was particularly adept at. He published a work on the Thirty Years War (1793). There was a dramatic trilogy on Wallenstein (1798-99). Colleridge translated part of this for his poem "Wallenstein (1800). Next was Maria Stuart (1800) and "Die Jungfrau von Orleans" (1801). A favorite of many was "Wilhelm Tell" (1804). Schiller is notable for this account of Swiss hero Wilhelm Tell, giving the Swiss their national hero. Perhaps no work is more widely known than "The Song of the Bells". He and Goethe had a celebrated friendship. Schiller was active in Weimar during his last years. He died May 9, 1805 at Weimar in Thüringen.

Friedrich Schiller

Friedrich Schiller is one of Germany's most noted poet, dramatist, historian and philosopher. Along with Goethe he is considered a founder of German literature. He is widely considered second only to Goethe. He was born in November 11, 1759 in a small village Marbach near Stuttgart in Württemberg. We know little about his childhood. His work in the German language has a similar importance in literature to William Shakespeare’s work in Britain. (Shakespeare of course is also important linguistically as he wrote a time when modern English was just begin to emerge.) Schiller wrote with an already well-developed German language. Schiller's first important play was "Die Räuber", a fairly standard Sturm und Drang play (1781). A major work was "An die Freude" (1785), this was the "Ode an die Freude" (ode to joy) used by Beethoven in his 9th Symphony. This was followed by one of his most notable works--Don Carlos (1787). There were several historical works--a genre Schiller was particularly adept at. He published a work on the Thirty Years War (1793). There was a dramatic trilogy on Wallenstein (1798-99). Colleridge translated part of this for his poem "Wallenstein. (1800). Next was Maria Stuart (1800) and "Die Jungfrau von Orleans" (1801). A favorite of many was "Wilhelm Tell" (1804). Schiller is notable for this account of Swiss hero Wilhelm Tell, giving the Swiss their national hero. Perhaps no work is more widely known than "Die Glocke"--""The Song of the Bells". He and Goethe had a celebrated friendship. Schiller was active in Weimar during his last years. He died May 9, 1805 at Weimar in Thüringen.

Wilhelm Tell

Wilhelm Tell Schiller is notable for this account of Swiss hero Wilhelm Tell, giving the Swiss their national hero. The work was based on a Swiss national legend. The legend recounts that at the end of the 13th century Tell, a hunter living in Uri. He was forced by the governor (baliff) Geßler of the Habsburg possessions in Switzerland to shoot with his cross-bow at an apple put on the head of his young son because he had refused to salute a hat Geßler had placed on a stick. he didn’t hurt his son; shortly after, however, Tell killed Geßler which became the signal for the rebellion of Swiss people against the Habsburg. This is the historical origin of Switzerland as the Confederatio Helvetica. The Schiller drama (1804) and the Rossini opera (1829) are the two vest known accounts. Modern historians believe that Tell was not a real person and the account is a inspiring story of what actually happened (1291). This legend is a motive of many art works and also of Swiss stamps. An early woodcut of a Swiss master depicts the event (1507). A more modern illustration appeared in a compendium of Schiller’s works (1877). In the legend of the picture Tell says: “With this second arrow I had shot – you, if I had hit my dear child” . Both figures show interesting details of clothing of boys in the Swiss Alps in medieval times. We suspect that the 1507 image may be more accurate, but it seems to depict 16th rather than 13 century styles.