description The Physicists Overview
*The Physicists* is a 1962 play by Swiss author Friedrich Dürrenmatt set entirely within the confines of a psychiatric sanatorium. The plot centers on three patients who each claim to be famous physicists—specifically Isaac Newton, Albert Einstein, and Johann Wilhelm Möbius. As a series of murders occurs within the asylum, the play examines the ethical responsibilities of scientists and the dangers of nuclear technology when placed in the hands of an unmanageable society.
help The Physicists FAQ
Who are the three patients in The Physicists by Friedrich Dürrenmatt?
The three patients in the mental asylum each claim to be famous physicists: Isaac Newton, Albert Einstein, and Johann Wilhelm Möbius. They reside in a sanatorium called Les Cerisiers (The Cherry Orchard), where murders begin to take place.
What is the main theme of the play The Physicists?
The play heavily explores the ethical responsibility of scientists and the terrifying potential of nuclear weapons during the Cold War era. Dürrenmatt specifically examines how scientific discoveries can be misused by those in political power.
What is the twist ending regarding Nurse Monika in The Physicists?
A major twist reveals that the asylum's head physician, Dr. Mathilde von Zahnd, is actually insane and has been secretly exploiting Möbius's world-destroying inventions. She believes herself to be in contact with King Solomon, aiming for global domination.
When was Friedrich Dürrenmatt's The Physicists first performed?
The Physicists premiered in Zurich, Switzerland, in 1962. The original German text, titled Die Physiker, was published later that same year and quickly became one of Dürrenmatt's most performed works.
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