Life is a Dream
Wow. I have to admit, so far this play ranks among the top of my favorites that we have read so far. I know it was suggested that we compare this play to others, but to be perfectly honest, I think this one is fairly unique. Granted, the overall idea/plot of having an aire to a thrown that is being hidden goes back to the stories of Zeus eating his children to stay in power. But there were many twists to this plot that make it quite original. The idea of Sigismund being king for a day to test his ruling abilities (which totally isn't fair since he is kept in a castle with his only contact as Clotaldo, his teacher and prison guard) was a biased, yet still good idea. Of course Sigismund is not going to have a very good idea how to handle nobility if he has lived in a prison his whole life. Still, the king DID give him that chance, when he could have kept him in the tower or killed him altogether. After he is returned to the tower, Sigismund goes through this huge introspection where he pretty much talks about Solipsism, a very Matrix-like philisophical idea. For me this was a change in the pace of the play. All this plot going on, and then Calderon decides to take a brief few minutes or so to talk about a vague idea. Very effective.
There is so much plot and intricate side stories that its hard to mention them all, like with Altofonso and Rosaura and Estrella. You know, now that I think about it, this movie is set up very much like Snatch and 4 Layer Cake, and other movies of that sort. Many stories that seem unrelated that all come together at the end.
Speaking of the end. This play seems like it is going to be a tragedy throughout its entirety, but the end just goes ahead and does yet ANOTHER plot twist. The king gladly gives up his crown, the two lovers finally get to marry, the rightful aire is now king, and everyone lives happily ever after. EXCEPT FOR THE VERY SOLDIERS WHO ALLOWED THIS ENTIRE UPRISING TO HAPPEN WERE PUT TO DEATH FOR TREASON! wtf? Don't give me wrong, I like the ending because its different. But still, its just a little bit disconcerning, which is partly why I like this play so much.
posted by Paul @ 11:05 AM
4 Comments:
I agree with you that this play is extremely enjoyable to read. However, I find it interesting that you compare Life is a Dream to Greek mythology. To me, Basil locks up Segismund to prevent him from being a cruel ruler. His actions may have been rash, but he did it with the intentions of saving his people. On the other hand, Zeus ate his children to maintain his position of power. He was acting out of selfishness, not concern for the public.
Another movie that this play could be compared to is pulp fiction. Do think that since the soldiers were sentenced to death that this would make the play a tragedy? Maybe the soldiers were not big enough characters.
Its good that you point out the contrast in styles of dialogue that help to change the flow of the play, it is a very apt observation. An I completely agree that it is very much like the Matrix in its dreamlike qualities.
I found the ending of the play to be kind of disconcerting as well. Why would the people who were doing the right thing in the eyes of the person who could have protected them get put to death? I don't really understand why things happened as they did but I guess I will just have to accept it and go on.
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