The purpose of this paper is to compare Büchner's medical and literary discourse, namely Probevorlesung über Schädelnerven and Woyzeck. Both texts were written towards the end of the author's short life. The comparative analysis provides evidence that Büchner inverts the notions of subjectivity and objectivity; he lets them 'go on their head', "auf dem Kopf gehn" (Lenz). In his medical lecture, Büchner demonstrates free will, whereas in the theatre piece, especially in the doctor's scene, he shows the subjection of Woyzeck. As this paper will show, by taking into consideration the political awareness of revolutionary movements like the "Vormärz", it is possible to make a critical reflection about dependency and autonomy of the 'subject of history'.
Büchner; Woyzeck; medicine; subject