Gesammelte Werke in zehn Bänden: Die Büchse der Pandora. Eine Monstretragödie (1894). Der Erdgeist (1895). Frühlingsstürme. Die Büchse der Pandora (1903)

Frank Wedekind’s Lulu plays, specifically 'Erdgeist' and 'Die Büchse der Pandora', stand as pillars of turn-of-the-century German expressionism. Written during a period of intense societal questioning in the 1890s and early 1900s, these works challenged Victorian moral codes by centering on the provocative and complex character of Lulu. Wedekind aimed to dismantle the hypocrisy of the Wilhelmine era, utilizing a stark, unflinching style that shocked contemporary audiences and faced significant censorship due to its frank exploration of sexuality and social decay.

The publication of these works within the 'Gesammelte Werke' series reflects an attempt to codify Wedekind's influence on modern drama. While the plays were initially met with scandal and legal friction, they were later heralded for their psychological depth and their role in paving the way for the development of epic theatre. The design and presentation of this volume series reflect the aesthetic sensibilities of German literary collections from the early 20th century, prioritizing the intellectual weight of the text over ornamental decoration.