Reigen

Reigen is a German-language play written by Arthur Schnitzler and first published in 1897. The title translates to round dance or circle, and the work is commonly referred to by its French title La Ronde in English-language contexts. The play is renowned for its structure and themes, presenting a sequence of linked intimate encounters that form a circular chain among characters from different social classes.

The drama unfolds through a series of one-on-one episodes that connect men and women in mutual desire, creating a continuous flow of dialogue and interaction. The circular design emphasizes how personal longing, social authority, and moral judgment move through a society, revealing the pressures and hypocrisies of bourgeois life. Schnitzler’s treatment is frank for its time, using sexuality as a lens to examine power dynamics, class boundaries, and the delicate balance between public propriety and private impulse.

Reigen provoked intense debate upon publication and faced censorship and bans in several jurisdictions. It is regarded as a landmark of fin-de-siècle theatre for its daring subject matter, psychological insight, and formal innovation. The play has been translated into many languages and has influenced subsequent works that explore cyclical social relations and erotic power.

Adaptations and legacy include the well-known 1950 film La Ronde by Max Ophüls, which preserves the chain of linked encounters in a cinematic format. The work continues to be staged worldwide and remains a touchstone in discussions of literature, sexuality, and social critique.