EMILIA GALOTTI

Interview - The Prince (Che Watson)

 

How do you interpret Lessing's Emilia Galotti?

Unusually, I see Emilia Galotti as a tale of empowerment. Both in terms of feminism and the class system, but also individual empowerment. It's not easy when we realise whilst watching the production that we as modern society are not as far removed from the society of Lessing's imaginary court as maybe we would all like to be.

 

The central characters all have extreme attributes and morals from the pious to the corrupt, from the schemers to the dreamers. Each character goes through their own tale of empowerment: the scheming Chamberlain Marinelli seizes the power from The Prince for himself through his Machiavellian manoeuvres; a pious girl is caught between temptation and religion, both of which are imposed upon her;  the spurned but forceful Countess who will not sit by and be another discarded conquest, and the emboldened father who breaks all bonds of his own to rescue his family.

 

How would you describe The Prince's perspective in the play?

Although he tries to insist he does so, he never has any control over the power bestowed upon him by fate. The Prince has never had a moral framework. As an elite, he is both spoilt and bored, with no idea of right and wrong except when he believes a deity stands in judgement. He seems to be a cowardly man but also a lonely man.

 

Although the Prince may act appallingly, he strikes me a chaarcter that wants someone to truly care for him. Through the bluster he truly desires someone attune to his world. Unfortunately he is surrounded by the corrupt and jaded and his experiences inform his fate. His ultimate goal, common to all of us, is to love and be loved. However, with no self-control he his doomed to always sully beauty and purity like a child with a doll.

 

Do you think Emilia Galotti has any resonance today?

I believe Lessing's play can be interpreted in many different ways with parallels drawn with today; the roles of women in society and the huge rich and poor divide which engenders a massive power gap between those at the top and bottom, especially resonant in London!

I'd like to think that all the characters hold mirrors up to our own lifestyles. The play force us to look at our own impact on others; regardless of the trivality of the action.