Alexander Schenk Graf von Sauffenberg belonged to Germany's most distinguished and noble German families (Norton 657). He and his twin brother Claus were completely enamored by the poet and were quick to consider him as their master when they had the chance to meet him. Apart from being integral parts of George's Circle and bringing a high degree of aristocracy into the poet's realm, the Stauffenberg brothers also go down in history for their resistance towards Adolf Hitler. In fact, Alexander's twin brother Claus (along with other circle members) was a part of the 20th of July Plot. Specifically, this 1944 endeavor was an attempt to assassinate Adolf Hitler and to make peace with the Western Allies. Claus, one of the leading members of this plot, was unsuccessful in his attempt to kill the Nazi Leader. Consequentially, he was executed. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Claus_von_Stauffenberg

 

Ultimately, the Stauffenberg's allegiance to George, accompanied by their defiance of the Nazi Regime, tear away the threads of connection between George's ideal Germany and the Nazi's vision of evil fascism.