Author
Luigi Pirandello
1867-1936
Luigi Pirandello (1867-1936) is a public-domain author available on Rivro. Read free books, explore subjects, and discover related classics.
Subjects
Books by Luigi Pirandello
Three Plays
"Three Plays" by Luigi Pirandello is a collection of dramatic works written in the early 20th century. It includes notable plays such as "Six Characters in Search of an Author," "Henry IV," and "Right You Are! (If You Think So)." The collection showcases Pirandello's exploration of the complexities of identity, reality, and the nature of creation in theater, often through characters that challenge the boundaries between life and art. The opening portion introduces "Six Characters in Search of an Author," setting the stage for a unique play that blurs the lines between actors and characters. The story begins with a theater company preparing for a rehearsal when six characters arrive unexpectedly, claiming they are in search of an author to complete their story. They express their existential plight—having been abandoned by their creator—and urge the manager and actors to help bring their drama to life. As the characters begin to interact with the theater personnel, the themes of reality versus illusion and the struggles of characters seeking their own narratives are vividly presented, hinting at a satirical yet profound critique of dramatic conventions and the artistic process itself.
La signora Morli una e due: Commedia in tre atti
"La signora Morli una e due: Commedia in tre atti" by Luigi Pirandello is a dramatic work likely written in the early 20th century. This play explores themes of identity, love, and social conventions through the complicated relationships among its characters, particularly focusing on Evelina Morli and her estranged husband Ferrante Morli, who reappears after years of absence. As they navigate their unresolved past and the implications of Ferrante's return, the dynamic with Lello Carpani, Evelina's current partner, adds further complexity to the narrative. The opening of the play introduces us to a richly decorated parlor in Lello Carpani's home, where tension simmers as Ferrante Morli arrives to deliver news about his return. Evelina, the central character, grapples with her emotions as she interacts with her husband, whom she thought she had lost forever. The scene is filled with lively exchanges with other characters, including their son Aldo and Lello Carpani, highlighting both the humor and the underlying conflict of their situation. The dialogue sets the stage for a dramatic exploration of family, loyalty, and the struggle for personal autonomy amidst societal expectations as both Evelina and Ferrante confront their shared history.
L'umorismo
"L'umorismo" by Luigi Pirandello is a philosophical essay written in the early 20th century. The text delves into the concept of humor, elaborating on its nuances and exploring how it has been perceived differently over time and across cultures. Through a critical lens, the author engages with historical interpretations and definitions of humor, presenting an analysis of its complex relationship with irony and societal perceptions. The opening of "L'umorismo" introduces the reader to the intricate etymology and shifting meanings of the term humor, with Pirandello referencing various literary figures and philosophers, such as Alessandro D’Ancona, to illustrate the historical context of humor in literature. He discusses the transformative effects of cultural perspectives on humor and emphasizes the difference between superficial perceptions and deeper philosophical understandings. Throughout this initial section, Pirandello sets the stage for a more profound inquiry into what constitutes true humor, its essence, and its societal role, signaling a thoughtful analysis that invites readers to reconsider their own interpretations of humor.
Sei personaggi in cerca d'autore
"Sei personaggi in cerca d'autore" by Luigi Pirandello is a play written and first performed in 1921. Six mysterious strangers interrupt a theatrical rehearsal, claiming to be unfinished characters abandoned by their author. They demand their dramatic story be staged—a scandalous tale involving forbidden desire, family secrets, and tragic consequences. As the bewildered director attempts to bring their narrative to life, the boundaries between reality and performance dissolve, leaving everyone questioning what is real and what is merely acted.
Tutto per bene: Commedia in 3 atti
"Tutto per bene: Commedia in 3 atti" by Luigi Pirandello is a play written in 1906 and first performed in 1920. Martino Lori is a widower devoted to his late wife's memory, though his daughter Palma despises him. Everyone believes Lori knowingly tolerates a shameful secret about his family for personal gain. When a confrontation forces the truth into light, Lori discovers he has been deceived his entire life by those closest to him.
Pensaci, Giacomino!
"Pensaci, Giacomino!" by Luigi Pirandello is a comedy written in early 1916. An elderly, underpaid Sicilian professor devises an unconventional revenge against the state: he marries his young pregnant student, offering to support her, her child, and her lover under one roof. This scandalous arrangement defies social conventions and provokes outrage in their small town. As gossip intensifies and outside pressures mount, the fragile household faces a crisis when the young father attempts to escape his responsibilities for a more respectable life.
La ragione degli altri: Commedia in tre atti
"La ragione degli altri: Commedia in tre atti" by Luigi Pirandello is a three-act comedy written in 1895 and first performed in 1915. When Livia discovers her husband Leonardo's affair and illegitimate daughter, she makes an unexpected choice. Rather than demanding separation, she proposes bringing the child into their own childless marriage. But this solution requires convincing the mother, Elena, to surrender her daughter for the sake of social respectability and the child's future—forcing her to accept "the reason of others" over her maternal bond.
L'uomo, la bestia e la virtù
"L'uomo, la bestia e la virtù" by Luigi Pirandello is a play written in the early 20th century. The work delves into themes of morality, social norms, and human behavior, revolving around the complexities of love and betrayal. The main characters include the virtuous Mrs. Perella, who finds herself ensnared in a morally ambiguous situation with her lover, Mr. Paolino, and her husband, Captain Perella, who represents the more base instincts of humanity. The opening of the play introduces us to a modest room inhabited by Mr. Paolino, a private teacher, and showcases a bustling household atmosphere. We meet key players including Rosaria, a servant, and Totò, a pharmacist, who display lively banter indicating a close-knit yet chaotic environment. As the scene unfolds, Paolino's fiery temperament and his philosophical musings on civilization highlight the tension between the expectations of society and the inherent nature of people. The arrival of the future events is foreshadowed with the mention of Captain Perella, who will soon return, bringing with him the potential for significant turmoil in the narrative.
Lumìe di Sicilia: Commedia in un atto
"Lumìe di Sicilia: Commedia in un atto" by Luigi Pirandello is a one-act play written in 1910. Micuccio Bonavino has sacrificed everything to support Teresina's singing career, remembering her as the simple Sicilian girl who loved him. When he arrives unannounced at her luxurious home in northern Italy, he discovers how fame and time have transformed her beyond recognition. The play explores how memories crystallize while people change, and how love can die in one heart while still burning in another.
Come prima meglio di prima: Commedia in tre atti
"Come prima meglio di prima: Commedia in tre atti" by Luigi Pirandello is a theatrical comedy written in 1919. When Fulvia Gelli attempts suicide after a life of excess, her abandoned husband Silvio—now a celebrated surgeon—saves her life. They reunite and she becomes pregnant, but her contempt for him puzzles onlookers at a Tuscan pension. A confrontation with Silvio and her former lover reveals a dark truth about their past that transforms understanding of their twisted relationship and forces devastating choices about family and deception.
L'innesto: Commedia in tre atti
"L'innesto: Commedia in tre atti" by Luigi Pirandello is a play written in 1917. After a brutal assault in a Roman park leaves Laura Banti pregnant, she attempts to transform the trauma through love, hoping to share the coming child with her husband Giorgio. But he feels only revulsion toward the unborn child, a symbol of violation. As Laura refuses to abort and prepares to leave, Giorgio must confront what he stands to lose. Can an act of violence be redeemed through the power of maternal love?
Un cavallo nella luna: Novelle
"Un cavallo nella luna: Novelle" by Luigi Pirandello is a collection of short stories written in the early 20th century. The book delves into various human experiences and emotions, often exploring themes of identity, madness, and the absurdities of life. Through a vivid cast of characters, including a troubled newlywed couple, Pirandello presents profound insights into their struggles and the interactions that define their lives. At the start of the collection, the story introduces two newlyweds, Nino and Ida, who are supposed to enjoy their honeymoon on a desolate Italian hillside. However, Nino is visibly troubled, exhibiting signs of emotional distress possibly linked to a past love that led him to a suicidal break. While Ida tries to welcome her new life and cheer him up, the tension between their contrasting states evokes a sense of impending tragedy. Their initial joy starkly contrasts with Nino's inner turmoil, setting the stage for themes of love, despair, and the often chaotic nature of human relationships that permeates the entire collection.
La vita che ti diedi : $b Tragedia in tre atti
"La vita che ti diedi" by Luigi Pirandello is a tragedy first performed in 1923. A mother has nurtured the memory of her absent son for seven years, keeping him alive in her imagination. When he suddenly returns after this long separation, she cannot recognize the stranger before her—he bears no resemblance to the vivid image she has preserved. His unexpected death soon after creates a profound question: which son has truly died, the real one or the one who lived in her memory?
Vestire gli ignudi: Commedia in tre atti
"Vestire gli ignudi: Commedia in tre atti" by Luigi Pirandello is a three-act play written in the early 20th century. The play explores themes of identity, societal expectation, and the struggles of its main characters, particularly Ersilia Drei and Ludovico Nota, as they navigate their complex emotional states and tumultuous pasts. The opening of the play introduces us to Ludovico Nota, a novelist, and Ersilia Drei, a young woman who has just been released from the hospital after a turbulent episode in her life. The setting is a dimly lit room filled with old furniture. The atmosphere is tense and filled with the noise of the bustling city outside, which contrasts with the characters' internal turmoil. Ersilia, who appears to have just come from a crisis, reflects on her past traumas, while Ludovico expresses an eager yet complicated interest in her story. Their conversation reveals not only the depth of Ersilia's despair but also suggests Ludovico's desire to help her, even as both characters grapple with the implications of their intertwined lives. The narrative unfolds with dialogues that expose their emotional wounds and hint at the broader societal pressures shaping their destinies.
Enrico IV
"Enrico IV" by Luigi Pirandello is a drama written in 1921. After a costumed pageant accident, a nobleman believes himself to be the historical Emperor Henry IV. Twelve years later he recovers but chooses to continue the charade, unable to face a painful reality. When visitors arrive twenty years after the incident with a plan to cure him, a confrontation forces him to choose between truth and madness. The play explores the boundaries between sanity and insanity, performance and authenticity, examining whether embracing illusion might be more honest than accepting society's false realities.