Romulus the Great (Dürrenmatt): The Decline of an Empire

Romulus the Great, written by Swiss playwright Friedrich Dürrenmatt, is a complex exploration of power, responsibility, and the absurdity of existence. The play is set in 476 AD, during the decline of the Western Roman Empire. Dürrenmatt’s satirical lens critiques governance, morality, and human frailty, weaving humor with existential inquiry to reflect on leadership and human imperfection. Below, we delve into the intricate layers of the play, exploring its narrative, themes, and character portrayals.

The Narrative Structure and Setting

The play unfolds over a single day, spanning from the morning of March 15th to the morning of March 16th, 476 AD. The setting is primarily the imperial villa in Campania, a historically rich coastal region in Italy. This compressed timeframe accentuates the urgency of the empire’s impending collapse while juxtaposing the mundane with the monumental. Campania, encompassing cities like Naples and Salerno, becomes a symbolic backdrop for a crumbling empire, marked by faded glory and a reluctant emperor.

The narrative is divided into four acts, each offering a lens into Romulus Augustulus’s (Romulus the Great’s) detachment from his role as emperor. This disinterest is vividly portrayed through trivial pursuits, such as his obsession with breeding chickens, reflecting his apathy towards the empire’s imminent destruction.

Act-by-Act Summary

Act 1: The Disinterested Emperor

The comedy opens with the prefect Spurius Titus Mamma arriving to report on the fall of Pavia, a city in Lombardy. However, he is delayed by bureaucratic protocols and the emperor’s apparent disinterest. Meanwhile, Romulus, preoccupied with distributing the empire’s remaining wealth among servants, sells off Roman artifacts to finance their pay. His actions showcase an irreverence towards the grandeur of Rome, signaling a philosophical stance against imperialism and unchecked power.

Romulus’s wife, Julia, and Eastern Emperor Zeno implore him to defend the empire from the Germanic tribes. Despite their pleas, Romulus refuses to act, prioritizing personal convictions over political duty. His indifferent stance contrasts sharply with the urgency of those around him, creating a blend of tragedy and humor.

Act 2: Escape Plans and Personal Struggles

The emperor’s villa becomes a chaotic hub of escape preparations, with courtiers suggesting Sicily as a refuge. However, logistical challenges highlight the empire’s disarray. The return of Aemilian, Rea’s disfigured fiancé and a survivor of Germanic captivity, introduces personal stakes. Aemilian’s plea for Rea to marry Caesar Rupf, a trouser manufacturer offering to spare Rome in exchange for her hand, adds layers of moral and emotional conflict.

Romulus, however, remains steadfast in his refusal to compromise, deepening the tension. His philosophical musings on love and duty further illustrate his detachment from traditional notions of leadership, challenging the audience to reconsider what defines a ruler.

Act 3: Confrontations and Revelations

This act brings emotional and thematic confrontations as Julia, Rea, and Aemilian confront Romulus. Julia’s conversation reveals the emperor’s deliberate strategy: his apparent inaction is a calculated effort to let the empire collapse, exposing its corrupt foundation. Their marriage, initially a political alliance, underscores the themes of manipulation and moral ambiguity.

Rea’s interaction with her father is equally charged. She implores Romulus to allow her marriage to Caesar Rupf, but he prioritizes her personal happiness over political expedience. Aemilian, meanwhile, accuses Romulus of betrayal, highlighting the clash between idealism and pragmatism.

Act 4: The Fall of Rome

As morning dawns, Romulus learns of his family’s death in a shipwreck. Despite this personal tragedy, he maintains composure, accepting the empire’s collapse as inevitable. The arrival of Odoacer, leader of the Germanic tribes, sets the stage for the final exchange. Romulus’s calm demeanor and willingness to relinquish power encapsulate his philosophical stance: the empire’s decline is a necessary resolution to centuries of corruption and violence.

Themes in “Romulus the Great”

1. Fate and Destiny

Dürrenmatt explores the inevitability of historical cycles. Romulus’s resigned acceptance of Rome’s fall underscores the futility of resisting fate. His deliberate inaction contrasts with the frantic efforts of those around him, prompting reflections on whether leadership can alter predetermined outcomes.

2. Justice and Morality

The play grapples with moral dilemmas, questioning the ethics of leadership. Romulus’s decisions, though seemingly apathetic, stem from a deep moral conviction that the empire’s survival would perpetuate injustice. This theme resonates in modern contexts, challenging audiences to evaluate the moral compromises inherent in governance.

3. Absurdity of Existence

Dürrenmatt’s integration of comedic and grotesque elements highlights life’s inherent absurdity. From bureaucratic inefficiencies to Romulus’s trivial pursuits amidst chaos, the play critiques societal structures and human tendencies to impose meaning on an irrational world.

4. The Quest for Order

Characters yearn for stability, yet their efforts are often futile. This tension reflects humanity’s struggle to impose order on chaos, a recurring motif in Dürrenmatt’s work.

Characters: Vehicles for Themes

Romulus Augustulus: A paradoxical figure embodying apathy and philosophical resolve. His rejection of traditional leadership critiques the moral foundations of power.
Aemilian: A foil to Romulus, his patriotism and frustration highlight the emotional toll of political collapse.
Rea: Her journey from loyalty to rebellion mirrors the personal costs of political turmoil.
Julia: As a pragmatic empress, Julia’s character illustrates the interplay between personal ambition and systemic decay.

Reception and Modern Adaptations

“Romulus the Great” remains a seminal work, its existential and satirical elements resonating with contemporary audiences. Adaptations, such as graphic novels and theatrical reinterpretations, emphasize its enduring relevance. By blending historical critique with universal themes, Dürrenmatt crafts a narrative that transcends its Roman setting, inviting reflections on modern political and ethical dilemmas.

Conclusion

Dürrenmatt’s Romulus the Great challenges conventional narratives of heroism and leadership, presenting a ruler who embraces decay as a path to renewal. Its exploration of existential themes, moral ambiguity, and historical cycles cements its place in the literary canon. The play’s blend of humor and tragedy not only entertains but provokes critical thought, making it a timeless commentary on power, responsibility, and the human condition.