Pedro Calderón de la Barca, Life is a Dream, Spanish literature, 17th century, dream vs reality, deception, Sigismond, King Basilio, Clotaldo, Rosaura, comedy, tyrant, despot, auto sacramental, Grand Théâtre du monde, Jesuits, Philip IV, Lope de Vega
Reader
Abstract
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Abstract
Summary and analysis of the 17th-century Spanish play Life is a Dream, exploring themes of reality, dreams, and deception.
Extract
[...] Following this day, if he is worthy of being a prince, he will be named heir. But, if he is cruel and proud, he will be imprisoned again (in a tower) until the end of his life and will believe that he only dreamed. Sigismond is driven by a desire for rebellion and injustice because he has been raised in an inhumane way, and as he does not know if he is dreaming or not, he lets his violence express itself. [...]
[...] What is life? A shadow, a fiction." Day two, Scene II "Life is only a dream and dreams are only dreams." Day two, Scene II Notable passage : "Insolent Traitor Ungrateful (Aside.) Ah, no, heaven Let us calm ourselves; for I do not yet know if I am awake or dreaming (Above.) Clotaldo, I thank you for your noble conduct." Day third, Scene 1 This passage has marked us. Indeed, from this passage Sigismond decides to follow the advice given by Clotaldo, which is to do good even if life is only a dream. [...]
[...] The comic side is also manifested by the different appearances that Rosaura (daughter of Clotaldo and promised to the Duke of Moscow who is Astolfe) takes on. In fact, she dresses up as a man, then as a woman, then in a mixed way, (to avenge Astolfe, who tries to marry her to another 'disguises himself') this reinforces the comic side of the play. In short, throughout the play, we can find misunderstandings. In fact, the false identities and moments of confusion cause comic effects due to the absurd and the unexpected. [...]
[...] Life is a Dream - Pedro Calderón de la Barca (1636) - Oral exam for French BAC Biographical elements concerning the author : Pedro Calderón de la Barca was a Spanish writer of the 17th century. He was educated by the Jesuits of the Imperial College of Madrid, and therefore received a religious education. During his youth, he sought to win the favor of the king with his poetic compositions and comedias (Spanish drama or comedy, in regular verse). Following the death of Lope de Vega in 1635, he became the favorite of Philip IV, who was a great lover of theater. [...]
