Georges Danton

Georges Danton is one of the leaders of the French Revolution. As the play, "Danton's Death," opens, the last days of Danton are the focal point of the four-act play. Much of the story focuses on the rivalry between Danton and Robespierre, another leader of the Revolution. Danton is a libertarian and only wants to win liberty for France and for its people. Although he has led his followers in many bloody conflicts, he does not want to leave the corpses of innocents and political enemies behind him. Danton begins to sense that Robespierre is emerging as the leader of the Revolution but Danton cannot ascribe to Robespierre's tactics. Robespierre advocates the murder of anyone who does not agree with his politics or anyone whom he deems to be not virtuous. Danton tells his associates that he would rather be guillotined than guillotine.

As rumors swirl that...