Arabian-pulweria: Komedia yhtenä näytöksenä, kahdella waihoksella

by Ludvig Holberg

"Arabian-pulweria: Komedia yhtenä näytöksenä, kahdella waihoksella" by Ludvig Holberg is a comedic play written during the early 18th century. This work is a brief exploration of themes such as greed, deception, and the folly of humans seeking easy wealth. The play's comedic elements are rooted in the protagonist's manipulation of the characters around him as he attempts to exploit others for profit. In the story, Oldfuks, a cunning man who has posed as various professionals across Europe, arrives in a new city intent on reinventing himself as an alchemist who can turn base metals into gold. He tricks a wealthy man, Polidor, into believing he can teach him the secret of gold-making, demanding a hefty sum for his services. The plot unfolds with humor as various characters, including a Jewish merchant and Polidor's wife, get entangled in Oldfuks' deception. As the comedy progresses, it becomes evident that Oldfuks is a charlatan, ultimately exposing the folly in both the seekers of wealth and those who exploit them. The play concludes with the revelation of Oldfuks' trickery, bringing a message about the dangers of greed and the inevitability of deception.