A German Classic 2024: Friedrich Schiller's Die Räuber

© H. P. Haack

Our set text in 2024 was Friedrich Schiller’s Die Räuber  (1781). The play revolves around the big questions of sentiment and reason, freedom and law. The plot centres on the brothers Karl and Franz Moor and their dispute over their father’s affection and inheritance. Karl is slandered by his younger brother Franz, whereupon their father disowns Karl. Karl becomes the leader of a feared band of robbers but remains both haunted by his bad conscience and true to his noble intentions. Meanwhile the greedy and calculating Franz sets out to claim his father’s inheritance for himself and win over Karl’s fiancée Amalia.   

Schiller wrote Die Räuber when he was around twenty years old and it made him immediately famous when it was first performed in 1782. Ever since its premiere, this rebellious play has triggered strong reactions from audiences and prompted social debates that have lost none of their relevance. 

We are delighted to announce the following prizewinners:

First Prize (£500):          Antoinette Bates
Second Prize (£300):      Ritika Malhi  
Third Prize (£100):        Sophie Richardson Dennett

The essays by Caitlin Graeff and Cassia Moore were awarded a High Commendation by the judges, and the essay by Josh Campbell was awarded a Commendation.

The judges were most impressed with the quality of the submissions overall and commented on the sophistication with which the entries engaged with this challenging text, its themes and the characters’ complex motives. They also commended the insightful use of textual evidence and the adventurous connections entrants established between the historical text and current issues.

'A German Classic', Oxford German Network's essay competition for sixth formers, was established with the generous sponsorship of Jonathan Gaisman, KC, and aims to stimulate interest in great German writers and influential literary works in German. 

For all details about eligibility, study packs, essay questions, submission, judging criteria, and more, see here. 

QUERIES

If you have any questions, please email the Prize Coordinator, Santhia Velasco Kittlaus, at germanclassic@mod-langs.ox.ac.uk.