Two pairs of lovers, Egle and Lamon, and Amine and Eridon, the first pair happy in their loves, the second unhappy, make up the characters of the piece.
The leading part is taken by Egle, who is distressed at the misery of her friend Amine, occasioned by the jealous humours of her lover Eridon.

Complications there are none, and the sole interest of the play consists in the vivacity of the dialogues and in the arch mischief with which Egle eventually shames Eridon out of his foolish jealousy of his maiden, who is only too fondly devoted to him.

What strikes us in the whole performance is that Goethe, if he was so madly in love with Kaethchen as his letters to Behrisch represent him, should have been capable of writing it.

From its playful humour and entirely objective treatment it might have been written by a good-natured onlooker amused at the spectacle of two young people trifling with feelings which neither could take seriously.
[Footnote 42: This play was based on an earlier attempt made in Frankfort.] Equally objective is Goethe's handling of the very different theme of the other play, _Die Mitschuldigen_ ("The Accomplices"),[43] and in this case the objectivity is still more remarkable in a youth who had not yet attained his twentieth year.

This second piece belongs to the class of low comedy, and is as simple in construction as its companion.