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Classical dramaJugendliche und junge Erwachsenelongingrestlesstender

Faust: Gretchen at the spinning wheel

Gretchen is alone. Every task leads her back to Faust, until the memory of his kiss becomes the wish to hold on to him.

Casting
Gretchen, 16 to 22.
Duration
About 95 seconds
Difficulty
Advanced
Setting
Gretchen's room. She sits alone at the spinning wheel and cannot find a single thought that leads her away from Faust.
Scene heading
INT. GRETCHEN'S ROOM - DAY
Content notes
Romantic longing & Physical desire
Language
English
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Role notes

Playing age: 16-22

Gretchen

Wants: Picture Faust so vividly that, for a moment, his absence disappears.

Up against: Every memory sharpens her longing for someone who is not in the room.

Choice prompts

  • Give your hands a concrete task and notice when it falters.
  • Each time the opening comes back, Gretchen has remembered something different. Let that difference be heard.
  • Take your time over each memory: his walk, his eyes, his hand and his kiss each set off a different response in the body.
Full text

Faust: Gretchen at the spinning wheel

Download PDFDownload Fountain

INT. GRETCHEN'S ROOM - DAY

alone at the spinning wheel.

Gretchen

My peace is gone, my heart is heavy; I'll find it never, never, ever.

Where he is not is my grave, the whole world turns to gall for me.

My poor head is all undone, my poor mind in pieces, gone.

My peace is gone, my heart is heavy, I'll find it never, never, ever.

For him alone I watch from the window, for him alone I leave the house.

The way he walks, his noble build, the smile on his lips, the power in his eyes,

and the magic flow of all he says, the press of his hand, and oh, his kiss!

My peace is gone, my heart is heavy, I'll find it never, never, ever.

My body strains to be near him, oh, if I could reach and hold him! And kiss him all I want, until his kisses were the end of me!

Original: public domain

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Faust. Eine Tragödie · Gretchens Stube, Verse 3374-3413 · J. G. Cotta, Tübingen, 1808; Erstausgabe, Transkription nach dem Faksimile auf Wikisource

Translated by blablabla (2026)

Translation license

blablabla Free Rehearsal License

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Tips & Guides for Actors

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