Freedom, Obedience and the Problem of Class in J.M.R. Lenz’s Die Soldaten

J.M.R. Lenz’s comedy Die Soldaten (1776) depicts characters who are unfree and, to varying degrees, obedient to eighteenth-century authorities such as the family, religion, the government, and the class system. Despite this, Lenz prized the concept of freedom and his theoretical works suggest that the greatest force over individuals is their natural drives to perfection and happiness. This paper looks at these two sides of his writings and their implications for Die Soldaten. The analysis centres on the protagonist, Marie, as the figure of freedom stifled, demonstrating her story as an example of the moral fallout that results from obedience to opposing external authorities. It juxtaposes this depiction with the soldiers in the play, who are shown as having far less personal autonomy. This paper argues that Lenz’s depiction of freedom and obedience in Die Soldaten exposes gaps in his own thinking about the relationship between morality and class.