The Fate of the Baron Von Leisenbohg

Arthur Schnitzler (1862-1931) was one of the most influential playwrights and novelists of "Findeus Siecle Vienna" (Wiener Moderne). His figure is fascinating not only for his literary merit, but also for the way he combined his medical training with his exploration of the human soul. He is famous for introducing the interior monologue (or stream of consciousness) to German-language literature with the short story Lieutenant Gustl (1900). This technique allowed him to explore the most intimate and often contradictory thoughts of his protagonists, unmasking the hypocrisies of Austro-Hungarian society.Published in 1903, The Fate of Baron Von Leisenbohg is considered one of Arthur Schnitzler’s most brilliant and ironic short stories. It belongs to the tradition of the "Viennese tale", where the elegance of high society serves as a backdrop for a cruel game of fate, vanity, and psychological manipulation. The story is a masterclass in how Schnitzler blends his medical-like observation of human obsession with a sharp, almost cynical sense of humor.The narrative centers on Baron Von Leisenbohg, an aging aristocrat who has spent ten years in a patient, devoted, yet unrequited pursuit of the beautiful and famous opera singer, Kläre Heil. Kläre e, known for her numerous lovers and volatile nature, finally makes a strange promise to the Baron: she will be his, but only after she has "finished" with her current lifestyle.