The Tenor (Wedekind)

by Frank Wedekind

Genre: Romance
Setting: International
Format of Original Source: Play
Recommended Adaptation Length:

Candidate for Adaptation? Not Reviewed

EXCERPT:

GERARDO [pounding his chest]. When I sell myself, at least I am honest about it.

HELEN. Isn’t love honest?

GERARDO. No! Love is a beastly bourgeois virtue. Love is the last refuge of the mollycoddle, of the coward. In my world every man has his actual value, and when two human beings make up a pact they know exactly what to expect from each other. Love has nothing to do with it, either.

HELEN. Won’t you lead me into your world, then?

GERARDO. Helen, will you compromise the happiness of your life and the happiness of your dear ones for just a few days’ pleasure?

HELEN. No.

GERARDO [much relieved]. Will you promise me to go home quietly now?

HELEN. Yes.

GERARDO. And will you promise me that you will not die….

HELEN. Yes.

GERARDO. You promise me that?

HELEN. Yes.

GERARDO. And you promise me to fulfill your duties as mother and–as wife?

HELEN. Yes.

GERARDO. Helen!

HELEN. Yes. What else do you want? I will promise anything.

COMMENTS:

By the author of the original play “Spring Awakening.”

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