Diplomová práce pojednává o genezi, struktuře a recepci divadelní hry Aloise Jiráska Lucerna. Využitím archivních pramenů rekonstruuje složitý vývoj od počáteční myšlenky a inspirace přes přípravy až po vznik divadelní hry. Lucerna je jednou z nejčastěji uváděných divadelních her na jevištích divadel, patří ke zlatému fondu české dramatiky. Během svého vývoje se dočkala nejen tradičních zpracování, respektujících autorův jazyk i styl, ale i experimentálních a groteskních, jedním z nich je i parodie Josefa Dvořáka. K proměnám Lucerny patří i její jiné podoby ? na stříbrném plátně, gramofonových deskách a novodobě na internetu.Jirásek?s eighth play, The Lantern, shows an appropriately chosen genre, style of humour and a portrayal of problems and situations in our society that all make it a play that is regarded as a national treasure and which the audience has adopted as their own and which they still watch today. The Genesis of The Lantern was not easy. In the second chapter of this thesis the complicated development, from the first idea and inspiration, through the preparations, and then the birth of the play is reconstructed using archive sources. The Lantern started a journey that, as yet, has no end on 17th November 1905 ? its premiere.The Lantern entered the new millennium innovated and enriched by new interpretations that bring it up to date with the present world. During its history it was not performed only in traditional staging, with respect to the author´s style and language, but also in experimental or grotesque versions that were not always successful. Different from all other productions is an adaptation called The Lantern: The Battle for a Linden. This thesis summarised all metamorphoses of The Lantern.