William Tell (folk hero)
William Tell, also known as Wilhelm Tell, is a legendary figure from Swiss folklore, primarily associated with the Canton of Uri. His tale first emerged in the late 15th century, with a notable narrative centered around his extraordinary archery skills, particularly the moment he shot an apple off his son's head to defy a tyrannical bailiff named Gessler. This act of defiance is said to have sparked a rebellion against Habsburg rule, contributing to the formation of the Swiss Confederacy. While the historical existence of Tell and the events of his story are widely debated, the legend has served as a potent symbol of resistance and liberty throughout European history, especially during the Revolutionary Era.
William Tell's narrative gained significant attention in the 18th and 19th centuries, notably through Friedrich von Schiller's play "Wilhelm Tell," which emphasized themes of freedom and resistance. Today, Tell is celebrated in various forms, including monuments, schools, and the famous "William Tell Overture," composed by Gioachino Rossini. Although many scholars consider Tell's story to be part of folklore rather than historical fact, he remains a powerful symbol of the fight against injustice, embodying the spirit of Swiss independence and resilience.
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William Tell (folk hero)
William Tell (also known as Wilhelm or Guillaume Tell) is a legendary Swiss folk hero hailing from Canton Uri, which is part of the present-day Swiss Confederation. Tales of Tell first appeared in 1470 when an unknown poet published a ballad called “Song of the Origin of the Confederation,” which told the story of William Tell shooting an apple off of his son’s head. Between 1467 and 1474, Tell’s story appeared again in a collection of documents called The White Book. An extended version of the legend by Aegidius Tschudi in 1570 adds a bit more detail to the story, such as his first name (Wilhelm or William), his origins in Bürglen, the date of the apple shot, and the story of his death. The story saw a resurgence during the Revolutionary Era of the eighteenth century, and Tell became a household name thanks to German poet Friedrich von Schiller’s drama Wilhelm Tell, which was first performed in 1804.
The historical accuracy of the story, as well as the actual existence of William Tell, have been debated over the years, with most people agreeing that the story is nothing but myth. Nonetheless, the story of William Tell served as an important symbol in Switzerland and broadly throughout Europe over the years. In modern times, Tell is commemorated in stories, statues, and other monuments across the globe.
Background
Several versions of the tale include varying degrees of detail, but most present Tell as a humble, virtuous citizen who refused to bow down to a tyrant’s authority. In 1291, the three cantons of Uri, Schwyz, and Unterwalden swore an oath of allegiance against a powerful imperial family from Austria called the Habsburgs, which dominated large portions of Europe at the time. As the cantons committed themselves to a joint defense in case of an attack from the Habsburgs, they also declared their independence in what would come to be the Federal Charter, which they signed on August 1, 1291. The Habsburgs saw this as a rebellion and sent out bailiffs to punish the local population. One of them, Hermann (or Albrecht) Gessler, stuck a pole with his hat on it in the village square of Altdorf. Anyone walking past the hat was required to bow before it in submission.
As the tale goes, that practice continued for many years. However, on November 18, 1307, William Tell ignored the hat, walking past it. He was reported to Gessler, who summoned him the next day. Normally, this offense carried a death sentence, but Gessler gave Tell another option—to shoot an apple off of his own son’s head. Tell did so without harming his son. Gessler was in awe of Tell’s skill until he noticed a second crossbow bolt hidden under his clothing. Tell explained that if he had missed and struck his son, he had planned to use the second projectile to shoot Gessler. This enraged Gessler, who ordered that Tell be locked up for life in a tower in Küssnacht. As Tell was being transported to the castle by boat, a furious storm hit, forcing the guards to remove Tell’s shackles and order him to steer the boat. Tell delivered everyone safely to shore but then escaped his guards. In the tale’s conclusion, Tell finds Gessler at the Hohle Gasse and kills him with an arrow. Tell’s disobedience inspired inhabitants to revolt and form a coalition against their foreign rulers, creating the Swiss Confederacy.
Overview
William Tell has become a Swiss folk legend. He was very popular during the French Revolution (1789), becoming the official symbol on the seal of the revolutionary Helvetic Republic of Switzerland (1798–1803). The legend spread beyond Switzerland as well. Nineteenth-century Russians and twentieth-century Spanish republicans referred to Tell, and he became a symbol of resistance to aristocratic rule across Europe during the 1700s and 1800s.
Von Schiller’s play Wilhelm Tell was performed on stage for the first time in 1804 in Weimar, Germany. The drama—and its focus on liberty—played an important role in keeping German morale up during wars against Napoleon. In modern times, the play remains popular and is performed at venues across the world. William Tell also became an important symbol for the Swiss before and during World War II, representing the Swiss will to reject the Nazis and defend Switzerland’s autonomy. This reinvigoration of the Swiss tradition of liberty was part of the country’s Spiritual National Defense.
In contemporary times, Tell’s picture may be seen on the back of coins worth five Swiss francs. A number of monuments, schools, and other landmarks are named after William Tell, including the Monument for William Tell in Altdorf, Switzerland, and Tell’s Chapel near Sisikon, Switzerland. According to local tradition, the chapel was constructed in 1388 at the location where Tell is said to have escaped from Gessler’s boat. However, the oldest documents mentioning the chapel only date back to 1516–1530.
A well-known musical composition called the William Tell Overture is one of the most performed (and parodied) pieces of classical music. It appeared in the film A Clockwork Orange (1972) and in the television show The Lone Ranger (1948-1957). The overture was composed by Italian Gioachino Rossini for an opera about Tell in 1829.
Although many once believed the story of William Tell to be true, it has since been relegated by many to mere folklore. Historical research on Tell has failed to prove that he actually existed or that any of the events he is credited with took place. A Bernese scholar named Gottlieb de Haller released the book William Tell: A Danish Fable, enraging people in Switzerland. In fact, the book was burned publicly in Altdorf Square. In a November 1890 article in The Atlantic, author W. D. McCrackan pointed out a number of historical facts that seemed amiss in the classic tale. For one, the great crossbowman was not mentioned by any writers during the period in which he supposedly lived. In fact, there is no mention of Tell until about 1477, more than a century and a half after he was supposed to have lived. McCrackan also points out several historical flaws in the story. Contemporary research has suggested the story was indeed part of a broader European folklore tradition, as similar tales can be found in other cultures. This supports the theory that the Swiss adopted and adapted a pre-existing folktale rather than basing it on a local historical figure. However, according to House of Switzerland, this does not make Tell any less influential or compelling, as he represents the ability to fight against an authority that is unjust. It also does not take away from the importance of Tell in the national Swiss identity.
Bibliography
Dimri, Bipin. “William Tell: Is There a Real Man Behind the Myth?” Historic Mysteries, 7 June 2022, www.historicmysteries.com/william-tell. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
George, Zoë. “Classics 101 - ‘William Tell Overture.’” RNZ, 22 May 2018, www.rnz.co.nz/concert/programmes/upbeat/audio/2018645988/classics-101-william-tell-overture. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
Hirschi, Eva. “Land of Myth and Glory: Why William Tell is so Important for Switzerland.” SWI, 1 Aug. 2022, www.swissinfo.ch/eng/business/land-of-myth-and-glory--why-william-tell-is-so-important-for-switzerland/47789096. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
Lerner, Marc H. “William Tell.” Oxford Bibliographies, 28 Oct. 2020, www.oxfordbibliographies.com/display/document/obo-9780195399301/obo-9780195399301-0457.xml. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
McCrackan, W. D. “The Legend of William Tell.” The Atlantic, Nov. 1890, www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/1890/11/the-legend-of-william-tell/633649. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
“The Legend of William Tell.” History of Switzerland, history-switzerland.geschichte-schweiz.ch/william-tell-switzerland-hero.html. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
Wernick, Robert. “In Search of William Tell.” Smithsonian Magazine, Aug. 2004, www.smithsonianmag.com/history/in-search-of-william-tell-2198511. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
“William Tell, a Symbol of Switzerland Known Throughout the World.” House of Switzerland, 16 Feb. 2022, houseofswitzerland.org/swissstories/history/william-tell-symbol-switzerland-known-throughout-world. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.