Notes on this edition: Gustav Freytag, in this edition of his Technique of the Drama, exhibits strong German nationalism, borderline racism, classism, and blatant sexism, that, as an editor, I sometimes found challenging and insulting. However, it should be noted that, despite these shortcomings, the remainder of the work may still be considered valuable for the modern manner in which it approaches drama as a science and artform. Freytag was a man of the Nineteenth Century, and his biases should be considered within that frame of reference. They should in no way devalue this treatise on the theatre. It should remain needless to point out, but necessary for legal and other reasons, that the Editor in no way agrees with, promotes, or otherwise encourages Freytag's racial and political points of view.

Wherever possible, incorrect and archaic spellings, and capitalizations (or lack thereof) in the original manuscript have been preserved and so noted. Terms, titles, and quotations in other languages have been italicized for improved readability. Endnotes, which in the original edition were in a Notes section at the end of the manuscript have been preserved on a separate Notes page and linked appropriately for readability.