29 pages • 58 minutes read
Life Is a Dream
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Book Brief
96
Play • Fiction
Poland • 1600s
1636
Adult
16+ years
Super Short Summary
Life Is a Dream by Pedro Calderón de la Barca is a Spanish play involving Rossaura and her servant discovering a prisoner, Prince Sigismund, hidden away by his father, King Vasily, to prevent a prophecy. The king tests Sigismund's nobility by bringing him to the palace, prepared to convince him it was a dream should he fail. Ultimately, Sigismund grapples with truth and illusion, choosing to act morally. The book contains themes of imprisonment and familial betrayal.
Mysterious
Contemplative
Fantastical
Melancholic
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Life Is a Dream by Pedro Calderón de la Barca is lauded for its philosophical depth, intricate plot, and exploration of free will versus fate. Critics appreciate its poetic eloquence and complex characters. However, some readers find the language dense and the themes overly abstract. Overall, it remains a powerful and thought-provoking piece of Spanish Golden Age literature.
Who Should Read Life Is a Dream ?
Readers who relish philosophical musings on fate and free will, as seen in Shakespeare's Hamlet, will appreciate Life Is a Dream by Pedro Calderón de la Barca. They are likely interested in classical literature and existential themes, finding resonance in the moral dilemmas and intricate plot of Calderón's play.
Rossaura
Rossaura
Initially disguised as a man for her travels, she is on a quest to seek justice concerning her past relationship with Aistulf. She later assumes a role at King Vasily’s court.
Clothold
Clothold
The loyal jailer and mentor to Sigismund, he is deeply connected to the court and eventually reveals his paternal connection to Rossaura.
King Vasily
King Vasily
The superstitious ruler of Poland who confines Sigismund due to astrological predictions and struggles with planning the kingdom's succession.
Aistulf
Aistulf
The Duke of Muscovy with complex romantic entanglements, whose ambitions for the Polish throne influence his actions in the story.
Stella
Stella
King Vasily’s niece, who is wary of Aistulf's courtship and has her own role in the succession drama.
96
Play • Fiction
Poland • 1600s
1636
Adult
16+ years
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