Life is a Dream
Pedro Calderón de la Barca
First published and first produced in 1636, during the heyday of Spain’s golden age of literature, "Life is a Dream" is a play in verse that intertwines a complex family drama with a tale of honor and vengeance.
It is brilliantly constructed with several themes intertwined: Illusion (dreams)/reality, free will/predestination, the responsibility of monarchs/the art of governing, knowledge or experience/superstition, love/vengeance, honour/dishonour, loyalty/rebellion, justice/vengeance, prudence/ instinct, father/son conflict or order/disorder.
"Life is a Dream" is set around the kingdom of Poland. A king, Basillio, is looking settle a dispute for the heir to his throne between his neice and nephew. He reveals that he has a son locked away out of fear that he would overthrow his kingdom and destroy him, which was revealed to him by the stars. He decided to give his son (Sigesmund) a chance to prove himself worthy of the throne, but fails and is sent back to isolation. He is later set free during a rebelion when soldiers discover his existance. Sigesmund overthrows the kingdom and shows his father mercy.
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