Character Relationship Map: Fridericus

Characters

• Friedrich II. von Preußen (played by Otto Gebühr) — protagonist

  The Prussian king and the central figure of the campaign. He turns his army back when he judges that Austrian positions make the advance too dangerous, and he refuses to let rival powers determine Pru...

• Wilhelmine von Bayreuth (played by Hilde Körber) — supporting

  Friedrich’s sister, whose safety becomes a concern amid the war. Friedrich arranges for Rittmeister von Bonin to escort her safely to Neubrück, linking her directly to the king’s efforts to protect hi...

• Rittmeister von Bonin (played by Paul Klinger) — supporting

  A Prussian cavalry officer who receives new assignments as Friedrich’s exhausted army retraces its steps. Friedrich also entrusts him with escorting Wilhelmine safely to Neubrück, giving Bonin a role...

• Graf Wallis (played by Bernhard Minetti) — supporting

  An Austrian leader who brings news of Prussian successes against Austrian forces. He reports to Maria Theresia and Kaunitz that the French king and the Marquise de Pompadour intend to send an army aga...

• Maria Theresia von Österreich (played by Käthe Haack) — supporting

  The Austrian ruler who discusses the danger posed by Friedrich with Staatskanzler Kaunitz. Her conversation reflects the concern among Prussia’s opponents as Wallis reports Prussian successes and the...

• Frau Büttner (played by Lucie Höflich) — supporting

  A local mother living amid the hardship of war. She longs for her son Hans, who serves with the Prussian forces and hopes to become a doctor. Her concern for him brings the personal cost of the campai...

• Hauptmann von Droste (played by Heinrich Schroth) — supporting

  A Prussian captain who receives a new assignment as Friedrich’s army turns back during its punishing night march. His orders come amid the soldiers’ confusion and exhaustion, placing him among the off...

• Hans (played by Wilhelm König) — minor

  Frau Büttner’s son, who serves with the Prussian forces during the war. His mother longs for him while he hopes to become a doctor, making him a personal link between the military campaign and the anx...

Canonical Relationships

Family, romantic, and professional connections based on plot evidence.

• Frau Büttner → Hans (Family Mother And Son) — Frau Büttner's concern for her absent son reflects the personal cost of the war.

  Frau Büttner longs for her son Hans, who serves with the Prussians and hopes to become a doctor.

• Friedrich II. von Preußen → Hauptmann von Droste (Professional Commander And Officer) — Von Droste receives orders from Friedrich during the army's difficult withdrawal.

  Friedrich gives Hauptmann von Droste a new assignment as the troops retrace their steps.

• Friedrich II. von Preußen → Rittmeister von Bonin (Professional Commander And Officer) — Von Bonin carries out Friedrich's military orders, including the escort mission for Friedrich's sister.

  Friedrich gives von Bonin a new assignment and later arranges for him to escort Wilhelmine safely to Neubrück.

Story Dynamics

Alliances, conflicts, and narrative interactions that evolve throughout the story.

• Maria Theresia von Österreich → Graf Wallis (Social Political Interlocutors) — Wallis brings military news into the political discussion about Friedrich's threat to Austria.

  Wallis arrives with news of Prussian successes, and Maria Theresia discusses the danger Friedrich poses.

• Wilhelmine von Bayreuth → Rittmeister von Bonin (Alliance Escort And Protected Person) — Von Bonin is assigned to ensure Wilhelmine's safe journey to Neubrück.

  Friedrich arranges for Wilhelmine to be escorted safely to Neubrück by Rittmeister von Bonin.

Story Analysis

Friedrich confronts military encirclement and political pressure while trying to preserve Prussia and respond to the human cost of war.

Plot Progression

1. A Costly Reversal — Friedrich turns his army back during a punishing night march and gives new assignments. He explains the danger posed by Austrian positions while his troops suffer from cold, hunger, and fatigue.
2. Courts Weigh the Threat — Wallis reports Prussian successes, and Maria Theresia discusses Friedrich's danger to Austria. News of a planned French campaign in Silesia further complicates the conflict.
3. A King's Terms — Friedrich admits that he would make peace if possible, but rejects humiliation and being used as a pawn. The war's demands are then tested by an order to plunder a settlement.
4. Mercy Amid Hardship — After a lieutenant refuses to plunder, Friedrich orders aid for the settlement's inhabitants. He also arranges Wilhelmine's safe escort, while Frau Büttner's longing for Hans gives the conflict a pers...
5. Threat Without Resolution — Zarin Elisabeth's forces prepare to march on Berlin as the Prussian camp endures another cold night. Friedrich stays with his men, and the account ends without revealing the campaign's outcome.