Emilia Galotti (Cyclopedia of Literary Characters)
At a glance:
- Author: Gotthold Ephraim Lessing
- First Published: 1772
- Type of Work: Play
- Type of Plot: Tragedy
- Time of Work: Early eighteenth century
- Setting: Guastalia and Sabionetta, fictional principalities of Italy
- Genres: Drama, Tragedy
- Subjects: Love or romance, Murder or homicide, Middle classes, Eighteenth century, Aristocracy or aristocrats, Italy or Italians, Nobility
- Locales: Italy
Characters Discussed
Emilia Galotti (gah-LOHT-tee), the beautiful daughter of a soldier. She is betrothed to Count Appiani. Lecherous Prince Hettore Gonzaga, though engaged to marry the princess of Massa and in love with his mistress, Countess Orsina, desires Emilia. The prince’s wily chamberlain, the Marquis Marinelli, suggests to the prince that Count Appiani be sent on a mission to another province, thus leaving Emilia unprotected from the designs of the prince. When Count Appiani refuses to go on the mission, he is assassinated. Emilia is abducted and taken to the...
[The entire page is 607 words long]

