Arms and The Man

ISBN: 9789365614404

Author: George Bernard Shaw

Number of Pages: 120

Size: A5

Genre: Drama / Satire / Classic Theatre

Edition: Aedha Classics Edition

Key Features:

A sharp and satirical play by Nobel Laureate George Bernard Shaw, Arms and The Man challenges romanticized notions of war, love, and heroism with wit, humor, and realism. Set during the Serbo-Bulgarian War, it juxtaposes idealism with pragmatism, offering a refreshingly critical lens on society’s heroic myths. This Aedha Classics paperback edition is beautifully designed and printed in India, ideal for students, theatre enthusiasts, and lovers of classic literature.

Description:

Arms and The Man by George Bernard Shaw is a masterful comic play that boldly critiques the glorification of war and romantic idealism. First performed in 1894, the play is set during the Serbo-Bulgarian War and follows the story of Raina Petkoff, a young Bulgarian woman who hides a fleeing Swiss mercenary, Captain Bluntschli, in her bedroom. Unlike her fiancé, the dashing and dramatic Major Sergius Saranoff, Bluntschli offers a pragmatic and ironic view of war—armed with chocolates instead of bullets.

Through clever dialogue, Shaw dismantles the myths of heroic valor and romantic love, replacing them with realism, irony, and truth. The contrast between the characters—Sergius’ flamboyant heroism and Bluntschli’s practical skepticism—drives the play’s central themes and delivers a rich blend of comedy and social commentary.

Shaw’s incisive wit is on full display as he uses humor to question deeply ingrained social conventions and challenge the traditional narratives of honor and gallantry. The play champions rationality, authenticity, and humanism, making it a timeless piece of literature that continues to resonate across generations.

Perfect for students of English literature, theatre practitioners, and readers who appreciate socially conscious comedy, this Aedha Classics edition offers an elegant, portable format suitable for academic and leisure reading alike.

Made in India