Woyzeck

The soldier Woyzeck, subjected to the vagaries of a miserable life and the exploitation of his superiors, consumed by jealousy, kills his companion Marie.

A true tragedy of ordinary life, Büchner's famous work is inspired by a true story. For the first time in the history of dramatic literature, it marks the appearance of a popular character as a central figure. Left unfinished in 1837 after its author's sudden death, the play is now one of the great masterpieces of universal theater. This new edition presents a reconstruction of the stage version, taking into account the most recent discoveries on the genesis of the work; it challenges the idea that the play is made up of fragments whose organization is random, and allows us to follow the precise progression of the fable.

The translation by Jean-Louis Besson and Jean Jourdheuil fully restores the poetry, energy and radicalism of the writing. Also included in these pages are the complete four manuscripts - where the uncertainties of the writing appear - as well as the psychiatrist Clarus's report on the historical Woyzeck, which was Büchner's main source of inspiration. The juxtaposition of these documents invites us to enter the author's secret workshop and follow the stages of his creative work. Table of contents Introduction: Woyzeck, a palimpsest

Woyzeck, reconstructed version