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Drama Books
Best books
Robert Browning
Selections from the Poems and Plays of Robert Browning
"Selections from the Poems and Plays of Robert Browning" by Robert Browning is a collection of poetry and dramatic works written in the mid-19th century. This anthology showcases Browning's extensive body of work, highlighting his innovative use of dramatic monologues and his exploration of complex human emotions. It serves as a gateway to the themes of love, ambition, and existential inquiry that permeate his poetry. At the start of this edition, readers are introduced to important biographical and literary contexts surrounding Robert Browning's life and work. The opening portion provides a glimpse into his early childhood, education, and influences, setting the foundation for understanding the depth and complexity of his poetic voice. It details Browning’s precocious talent, early literary experiences, and eminent literary friendships, ultimately reflecting how his formative years shaped his unique approach to poetry and drama. This contextual grounding is vital for appreciating the selections included in the anthology.
Pedro Calderón de la Barca
Life Is a Dream
"Life Is a Dream" by Pedro Calderón de la Barca is a Spanish-language play first published in 1636. Prince Segismundo has been imprisoned in a tower since infancy by his father, King Basilio, who fears a prophecy that his son will bring disaster to Poland and kill him. When the king briefly frees Segismundo to test the oracle's prediction, the prince's behavior forces a devastating choice. This philosophical allegory explores free will versus fate, dreams versus reality, and the mysterious nature of human existence.
August Strindberg
Plays: the Father; Countess Julie; the Outlaw; the Stronger
"Plays: The Father; Countess Julie; The Outlaw; The Stronger" by August Strindberg is a collection of influential plays written during the late 19th century. The anthology highlights Strindberg's prowess in dramatic techniques, particularly showcasing the tumultuous dynamics of gender and power through complex relationships and moral conflicts. Each play delves into themes of identity, family ties, and societal expectations, with notable characters such as the Captain in "The Father," who grapples with fears regarding paternity and sanity. The beginning of "The Father" introduces us to the Captain, a troubled military figure engaged in conversations with his wife, Laura, and others about the welfare of their daughter, Bertha. The scene is marked by tensions stemming from Laura’s influence in their family dynamics and the Captain's struggles with doubt about his authority and familial role. As the Captain reveals his disdain for the overwhelming female presence in his home, the dialogue evolves into a deeper exploration of loyalty, truth, and the psychological pressures faced by both parents. The play sets a compelling stage for conflict and intrigue, suggesting a passionate examination of existential themes as the characters confront their personal demons and societal constraints.
William Shakespeare
Shakespeare's First Folio
"Shakespeare's First Folio" by William Shakespeare is a collection of plays published in 1623, seven years after the playwright's death. Prepared by Shakespeare's colleagues John Heminges and Henry Condell, this folio contains 36 plays and is considered one of history's most influential books. Eighteen plays, including "The Tempest," "Macbeth," and "Twelfth Night," appear here for the first time in print. Of approximately 750 copies originally printed, 235 survive today, preserving the only reliable texts for roughly twenty of Shakespeare's works.
Unknown
The World's Greatest Books — Volume 17 — Poetry and Drama
"The World's Greatest Books — Volume 17 — Poetry and Drama," edited by Arthur Mee and J.A. Hammerton, is a collection of significant poetic and dramatic works. This volume likely spans various time periods, reflecting the evolution of poetry and drama through diverse literary styles and themes. The likely topic covers essential plays and poems from renowned authors, focusing on their contributions to poetry and drama, including notable figures like Goethe, Heine, and Goldsmith. The opening of this volume sets the stage for an eclectic assortment of dramatic works and poetry, starting with Goethe's "Goetz von Berlichingen," which unfolds a tale of an adventurous knight. The drama portrays Goetz navigating challenges and personal ambitions against a backdrop of political intrigue and conflict. It introduces readers to characters such as Goetz himself, his faithful companion George, and the aristocratic Weislingen, evoking themes of loyalty and freedom. The text illustrates Goethe’s character-driven storytelling, marking a significant representation of German literature's vivid landscape.
William Ernest Henley
The Plays of W. E. Henley and R. L. Stevenson
"The Plays of W. E. Henley and R. L. Stevenson" by Henley and Stevenson is a collection of dramatic works composed during the late 19th century. The text is composed of several plays, with "Deacon Brodie" highlighted as a central piece, which explores themes of duality and crime through the story of the titular character, Deacon Brodie, who leads a double life as a respected tradesman by day and a criminal by night. At the start of the play "Deacon Brodie," we are introduced to William Brodie, a skilled carpenter and deacon of the Wrights in Edinburgh, who is portrayed as a man of great talent yet deeply entangled in a life of crime. The narrative presents his conflicting existence through conversations with other characters, including family members like Mary, his sister, and his uncle, the Procurator-Fiscal. As Brodie grapples with his dual identity, the opening establishes tensions between his responsibilities to his family and his involvement in criminal activities, foreshadowing the perilous choices he will face. This exploration of morality amidst crime captures a compelling drama that resonates with both internal conflict and societal judgment.
Oscar Wilde
Miscellanies
"Miscellanies" by Oscar Wilde is a collection of essays and other literary works written during the late 19th century. The collection showcases Wilde's diverse interests and intellect, focusing on topics such as art, aesthetics, and societal observations. The opening portions reveal Wilde's wit and rhetorical flair, setting the tone for an exploration of artistic expression and the human experience. The beginning of "Miscellanies" provides both a dedication and an introduction by Robert Ross, who discusses the fragmented nature of the volume while asserting Wilde's unique literary voice. Following this, the text touches upon Wilde's reflections on art, specifically through his commentary on the tomb of John Keats, which evokes themes of beauty, mortality, and poetic legacy. The subsequent sections delve into exhibitions at the Grosvenor Gallery, where Wilde critiques the works of other artists while showcasing his insightful analysis of contemporary art, ultimately revealing Wilde's commitment to a beauty defined by truth and emotional resonance.
Gotthold Ephraim Lessing
Nathan der Weise: Ein Dramatisches Gedicht, in fünf Aufzügen
"Nathan der Weise: Ein Dramatisches Gedicht, in fünf Aufzügen" by Gotthold Ephraim Lessing is a five-act drama published in 1779. Set in Jerusalem during the Third Crusade, the play follows Nathan, a wealthy Jewish merchant, whose adopted daughter is rescued from fire by a Christian Templar. When Sultan Saladin tests Nathan's wisdom by asking which religion is true, Nathan responds with the famous Ring Parable—a story about three identical rings that becomes a powerful statement on religious tolerance and humanity's shared values.
Maria Edgeworth
Tales and Novels — Volume 08
"Tales and Novels — Volume 08" by Maria Edgeworth is a collection of fiction written during the early 19th century. This volume includes various narratives, such as "Patronage," which explores themes of friendship, social obligation, and the intricacies of marriage and relationships in a discerning society. Central characters, like Lady Jane and Alfred Percy, reflect the moral and social dilemmas prevalent in their interactions, particularly concerning loyalty and ethical conduct in personal and professional realms. The opening of "Patronage" reveals the complex dynamics surrounding Lady Jane and Caroline as they navigate emotional reconciliations, sparked by Alfred's upcoming marriage. Lady Jane's contemplation of her relationship with Caroline is colored by feelings of gratitude due to Alfred's past kindness toward her. This leads to an intriguing social commentary on expectations and family loyalty, particularly as tensions arise from financial burdens and obligations tied to familial status. Ultimately, the discourse sets the stage for further developments involving Alfred's attempts to mediate conflicts, indicating themes of justice, honor, and personal sacrifice that may unfold throughout the narrative.
Bernard Shaw
Back to Methuselah: A Metabiological Pentateuch
"Back to Methuselah: A Metabiological Pentateuch" by Bernard Shaw is a cycle of five plays written between 1918 and 1920. Shaw proposes a radical solution to humanity's problems: people must evolve to live for centuries instead of decades. Only through extended lifespans, he argues, can humans gain the wisdom needed to govern complex civilizations. The plays span from the Garden of Eden to the year 31,920, exploring how humanity might transform through Creative Evolution and the Life Force to achieve this extraordinary longevity.
August Strindberg
The Road to Damascus, a Trilogy
"The Road to Damascus, a Trilogy" by August Strindberg is a trilogy of plays published between 1898 and 1904. The first part follows a protagonist called The Stranger through seven stations on his way to an asylum, then back through each in reverse order to his starting point. This circular, palindromic structure creates what critics call "I-dramaturgy," where all other characters appear only through the hero's perspective. The work synthesizes myths, symbols, and ideas into a profound spiritual analysis in a revolutionary dramatic form.
August Strindberg
Plays by August Strindberg: Creditors. Pariah.
"Plays by August Strindberg: Creditors. Pariah." by August Strindberg is a collection of one-act plays written in 1888–1889. In "Pariah," two men trapped in a farmhouse during a storm engage in a psychological battle over guilt and atonement. Both harbor criminal pasts—one a murderer who escaped justice, the other a forger who served time. As their stories unfold, the tension escalates into a dangerous contest of wills, where mental prowess proves mightier than physical threat in this Darwinian struggle for survival.
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