Summary
Highlights
A character constellation aims to illustrate the relationships and connections between the figures in a play, revealing what unites and separates them. This process helps in understanding the plot thoroughly.
Alfred Ill is a prominent merchant in Güllen, a former mayoral candidate, respected citizen, and family man. He had a past relationship with Klara Wäscher, who is now returning to the impoverished town as a wealthy woman. The town hopes Alfred can convince Klara to help them financially.
Other important Güllen characters include the teacher, who warns Alfred about the town's willingness to pay Klara's price, and the policeman, who refuses to protect Alfred from his fellow citizens. The mayor and other unnamed citizens serve largely as background figures, highlighting their insignificance to the plot's progression.
Klara represents the outside world, distinct from Güllen. She arrives with her numerous husbands, whom she treats as trophies and means to an end, divorcing them quickly. Her entourage also includes Tobi and Robi, former convicts she freed from Sing Sing, who act as her bodyguards and enforcers.
Kobi and Lobi were Güllen citizens who accepted money from Alfred Ill to falsely testify in a paternity suit, claiming they impregnated Klara instead of Alfred. Klara, upon gaining wealth and power, sent Tobi and Robi to find them in Canada and Australia, where they were blinded and castrated as punishment for their perjury.
Creating a character constellation provides a clear sketch of the play's events and automatically retells the entire plot, serving as a crucial first step toward further analysis.