The Young Schiller

Friedrich Schiller begins his career as a poet with a dramatic act of defiance. Following the sensational success of his first play, *The Robbers*, he deserts from the Duke's army. At the Mannheim Court and National Theatre, he is initially welcomed, but his new play *Fiesko* is poorly received by the artistic director, Dalberg. Among the successful actor and writer August Wilhelm Iffland, Schiller finds a formidable rival for the role of the theatre's in-house playwright, and the two also compete for the affection of the same woman. Schiller's situation becomes increasingly difficult; he is without funds, suffers from hunger, and falls seriously ill. Despite this, he continues to work tirelessly in pursuit of recognition and success, often at great cost to his health.