Woyzeck: Scene 12 Summary & Analysis

Woyzeck is at an inn. Around him, people dance and drink. Some journeymen are there, and one laments that he “ha[s] a shirt that isn’t [his].” Meanwhile, some other patrons sing a jaunty hunting song. Woyzeck gets up and stands by the window. He spots Marie dancing with the drum major, though they don’t see him. Woyzeck anguishes as he watches the drum major put his hands all over Marie, then he falls to the floor and passes out.

The first journeyman climbs onto the table and delivers a speech. Sometimes, the journeyman orates, humans ask why they exist. But to this, the journeyman asks his audience to consider how tailors would earn money if God had not given humans “shame.” And how would the soldier exist if God didn’t give him the urge to die? “Even money rots,” laments the first journeyman, noting that all material pleasures are “vanity.” He encourages his audience to “piss on the cross so a Jew will die.” The crowd cheers. This wakes Woyzeck, who then gets up and leaves the inn.