William Tell

William Tell (German Wilhelm Tell, French Guillaume Tell) was a legendary hero of disputed historical authenticity who is said to have lived in the Canton of Uri in Switzerland in the early 14th century.

Other adaptations

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe learned of the Tell saga during his travels through Switzerland between 1775 and 1795. He got hold of a copy of Tschudi's chronicles, and considered writing a play about Tell. Ultimately, he gave the idea to his friend Friedrich von Schiller, who in 1803-04 wrote the play Wilhelm Tell, which had its debut performance on March 17, 1804, in Weimar. Schiller's Tell is heavily inspired by the political events in the late 18th century, the French revolution in particular.

Related Topics:
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe - 1775 - 1795 - Friedrich von Schiller - 1803 - 04 - March 17 - Weimar - French revolution

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Gioacchino Rossini in turn used Schiller's play as the basis for his opera William Tell, the overture of which achieved great popularity as the theme music for the radio drama and television show The Lone Ranger.

Related Topics:
Gioacchino Rossini - Opera - William Tell - Overture - Theme music - Radio drama - Television - The Lone Ranger

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There is an entry in the Malleus Maleficarum regarding witch-archers that bears a surprising resemblence to the story of William Tell:

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:It is told also of this man, that a very eminent person wished to have proof of his skill, and for a test placed his little son before the target with a penny on his cap, and ordered him to shoot the penny away without removing the cap. The wizard said that he would do it, but with reluctance, not being sure whether the devil was seducing him to his death. But, yielding to the persuasions of the prince, he placed one arrow in readiness in the cord which was slung over his should, fitted another to his bow, and shot the penny from the cap without hurting the boy. Seeing this, the prince asked him why he had placed the arrow in that cord; and he answered: "If I had been deceived by the devil and had killed my son, since I should have had to die I would quickly have shot you with the other arrow to avenge my death." –Malleus Maleficarum, part II, question I, chapter XVI

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