Der Handschuh

History

The ballad is based on a true story, which Schiller found in a volume Essais historiques sur Paris de Monsieur de Saint-Foix (1797). It took place at the court of Francis I of France.

Synopsis

Alongside other members of his court, King Francis I watches a fight between wild animals. A lion is sent out into the arena first, but it just yawns and lies down. The king then orders a tiger to be released, but after a few moments of excitement it just walks around the lion before also lying down. Next, the king commands two leopards be brought out. These attack the tiger, the lion roars and stands up, but then they all lie down, hot after their murderous exertions.

At this point Fräulein Kunigund loses her glove: it falls from the balcony into the midst of the animals. She asks the knight Delorges to retrieve the glove as a proof of his proclaimed love. He accepts the challenge, enters the circle, and recovers the glove without being harmed. The court is impressed by his bravery and Kunigunde looks at him with a promise in her eyes, but Delorges throws the glove in her face and says that he has no interest in her gratitude.

Musical settings

Robert Schumann set this poem to music in his 1850 song, Op. 87. In 2005, on the occasion of the 200th anniversary of Schiller's death, Graham Waterhouse composed Der Handschuh for cello and speaking voice.