Download Calderon Zivot Je San PDF for Free - The Classic Spanish Drama
Calderon Zivot Je San PDF Download: A Guide to the Classic Spanish Play
If you are looking for a PDF download of Calderon Zivot Je San, you have come to the right place. Calderon Zivot Je San, or Life Is a Dream in English, is one of the most famous and influential plays in Spanish literature. Written by Pedro Calderon de la Barca in 1635, it is a complex and fascinating drama that explores the themes of free will, fate, illusion, and reality. In this article, we will give you a brief introduction to the play, a summary of its plot, an analysis of its main characters, and a conclusion on why it is a masterpiece of Spanish drama.
calderon zivot je san pdf download
Download File: https://www.google.com/url?q=https%3A%2F%2Fgohhs.com%2F2tX4ZR&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AOvVaw38BPEwGt6rHrUBAlAcbmSP
Introduction
Calderon Zivot Je San is a philosophical play that belongs to the genre of baroque theater. Baroque theater was a form of artistic expression that emerged in Europe in the 17th century, characterized by its extravagance, complexity, and contrast. Baroque theater aimed to create a sense of wonder and awe in the audience, as well as to reflect on the social, political, religious, and moral issues of its time.
Pedro Calderon de la Barca was one of the most prominent playwrights of baroque theater in Spain. He was born in Madrid in 1600, into a noble family with ties to the royal court. He studied at various universities and became a soldier, a priest, and a courtier. He wrote more than 200 plays, covering different genres such as comedy, tragedy, history, myth, and religious drama. He died in Madrid in 1681.
Calderon Zivot Je San is considered one of his best works, as well as one of the greatest plays in world literature. It was first performed in 1635 at the Royal Palace of Buen Retiro in Madrid. It tells the story of Sigismund, the prince of Poland, who has been imprisoned since birth by his father Basilio, the king of Poland. Basilio fears that his son will fulfill a prophecy that says he will become a tyrant and bring disaster to his country. However, Basilio decides to give his son a chance to prove himself worthy of the throne by secretly releasing him from prison and making him believe that he is the king. The play then follows Sigismund's journey from ignorance to knowledge, from savagery to civilization, from dream to reality.
The play raises many questions about human nature, such as:
What is the difference between reality and illusion?
How much control do we have over our own destiny?
What are our moral obligations towards ourselves and others?
What makes us human?
The play also reflects on the historical context of Spain in the 17th century, such as:
The decline of Spain's political and economic power in Europe
The rise of absolutism and authoritarianism in Spain's monarchy
The influence of astrology and superstition on Spain's culture
The conflict between Catholicism and Protestantism in Europe
Summary of the plot
Act I: The Prison
The play begins with Rosaura, a young woman dressed as a man, and Clarin, her comic servant, arriving in Poland after fleeing from their homeland. They are looking for Astolfo, the duke of Muscovy, who has betrayed Rosaura's honor by breaking their engagement. They come across a tower where they hear moans and chains rattling. They decide to investigate and find out that it is the prison where Sigismund, the prince of Poland, is kept.
Sigismund is unaware of his true identity. He has been raised by an old man named Clotaldo, who is loyal to Basilio, the king of Poland. Clotaldo has taught Sigismund some basic skills such as reading and writing, but he has also treated him harshly and cruelly, to make him fear and obey him. Sigismund has never seen anyone else besides Clotaldo, and he has never seen the outside world.
Rosaura feels pity for Sigismund and tries to talk to him, but he reacts violently and grabs her sword. Clarin runs away in fear, but Rosaura stays behind. Clotaldo arrives with some guards and orders them to capture Rosaura and Clarin. He recognizes Rosaura's sword as his own, which he had given to Violante, Rosaura's mother, many years ago. He wonders if Rosaura is his daughter, but he does not reveal his suspicion.
Basilio, the king of Poland, also arrives with some nobles, including Astolfo, the duke of Muscovy, and Estrella, the princess of Poland. Basilio explains that he has imprisoned his son Sigismund because he was born under an evil star that predicted he would be a cruel tyrant who would overthrow him and cause chaos in Poland. However, he also says that he wants to give his son a chance to prove himself worthy of being king. He has devised an experiment where he will drug Sigismund and transport him to the palace, where he will wake up as the king. He will observe how Sigismund behaves with his new power and freedom. If he shows virtue and wisdom, he will let him rule. If he shows vice and folly, he will drug him again and return him to prison.
Basilio asks Clotaldo what he thinks of his plan. Clotaldo says that he respects Basilio's decision, but he also warns him that it is risky and dangerous. He also asks Basilio what he should do with Rosaura and Clarin, who have seen Sigismund. Basilio says that they should be killed, to prevent them from spreading any rumors about Sigismund. Clotaldo begs Basilio to spare their lives, saying that he owes them a favor. Basilio agrees, but he says that they must swear never to reveal what they have seen.
Act II: The Palace
Sigismund wakes up in the palace, surrounded by luxury and splendor. He is greeted by Basilio, who tells him that he is his son and the heir of Poland. He also introduces him to Astolfo and Estrella, who are his cousins and potential spouses. Sigismund is confused and amazed by his new situation. He does not know if he is dreaming or awake.
However, Sigismund soon shows signs of arrogance and violence. He insults Astolfo and Estrella, who are rivals for the throne. He kills a servant who accidentally spills water on him. He tries to rape Rosaura, who has been brought to the palace as a lady-in-waiting for Estrella. He also threatens to kill Basilio, who he blames for his imprisonment.
Basilio realizes that his experiment has failed and that Sigismund is indeed a monster. He orders Clotaldo to drug Sigismund again and return him to prison. He also announces that he will abdicate in favor of Astolfo, who will marry Estrella and unite Poland and Muscovy.
Rosaura, meanwhile, seeks justice for her dishonor by Astolfo. She reveals her true identity to Clotaldo, who confirms that he is her father. He promises to help her restore her honor, but he also asks her to be patient and discreet. He gives her a portrait of Astolfo as a proof of his love for her.
Act III: The Rebellion
Sigismund wakes up again in his prison, thinking that everything that happened in the palace was a dream. He is visited by Clotaldo, who tells him that some soldiers have rebelled against Basilio and want Sigismund to be their leader. Clotaldo asks Sigismund if he wants to join them or stay in prison.
Sigismund decides to join the rebellion, hoping that it is not another dream. He escapes from prison with the help of his loyal soldiers, led by a captain named Cibrario. He confronts Basilio and his allies in a battle outside the palace.
However, Sigismund also learns to be a wise and virtuous ruler. He listens to Rosaura's plea for justice and agrees to punish Astolfo for his betrayal. He spares Basilio's life and asks for his forgiveness and guidance. He also renounces Estrella's hand and offers it to Astolfo, as a gesture of peace and generosity.
Basilio is moved by Sigismund's change of heart and recognizes him as his true son and successor. He reveals that the prophecy was not fixed, but conditional on Sigismund's behavior. He says that Sigismund has passed the test of life, which is a dream that depends on how we act.
Analysis of the characters
Sigismund: The Protagonist
Sigismund is the main character of the play and the prince of Poland. He represents the human condition and the struggle between free will and fate. He is born under an evil star that predicts he will be a tyrant and bring disaster to his country. He is imprisoned since birth by his father Basilio, who fears the prophecy. He is raised in ignorance and cruelty by Clotaldo, who teaches him some basic skills but also makes him fear and obey him.
Sigismund changes from a savage beast to a noble hero throughout the play. He goes through three stages: ignorance, knowledge, and wisdom. In the first stage, he is unaware of his true identity and his destiny. He lives in a prison, isolated from the world and from other people. He only knows pain and anger. In the second stage, he is suddenly released from prison and made king by Basilio's experiment. He experiences power and freedom for the first time, but he also abuses them. He acts with arrogance and violence towards everyone around him. He does not know how to control his impulses or respect others' rights. In the third stage, he joins the rebellion against Basilio and leads his people to victory. However, he also learns how to be a good ruler and a good person. He listens to reason and compassion, and he acts with justice and generosity. He reconciles with his father and his enemies, and he accepts his responsibility and his destiny.
Sigismund embodies the paradox of life being a dream. He does not know if what he experiences is real or illusory, or if he is awake or asleep. He doubts his own senses and his own memory. He wonders if he has any control over his actions or if they are predetermined by fate. He questions what is good and what is evil, what is true and what is false, what is human and what is divine. He realizes that life is a dream that depends on how we act, and that we must act well even if we are dreaming.
Basilio: The Antagonist
Basilio is the antagonist of the play and the king of Poland. He represents the role of authority and reason. He is a wise and learned man, who has studied astrology and science. He loves his son Sigismund, but he also fears him. He believes in the prophecy that says Sigismund will be a tyrant and bring disaster to his country. He tries to control his son's destiny by imprisoning him since birth and testing him with an experiment.
Basilio fails to understand his son's true nature and potential. He does not give him a chance to prove himself worthy of being king until it is too late. He does not teach him how to be a good ruler or a good person, but only how to fear and obey him. He does not respect his son's free will or dignity, but only treats him as an object of his experiment. He does not realize that his actions are cruel and unjust, and that they cause more harm than good.
Rosaura: The Catalyst
Rosaura is the catalyst of the play and a young woman dressed as a man. She represents the role of honor and justice. She is a noble lady from Muscovy, who has been betrayed by Astolfo, the duke of Muscovy, who broke their engagement. She follows him to Poland, seeking revenge for her dishonor. She also discovers that she is Clotaldo's daughter, who had abandoned her mother Violante.
Rosaura initiates the action of the play by seeking justice for her betrayal by Astolfo. She arrives in Poland with her servant Clarin, and finds out about Sigismund's prison. She tries to talk to Sigismund, but he reacts violently and grabs her sword. She is captured by Clotaldo, who recognizes her sword as his own. She reveals her true identity to Clotaldo, who promises to help her restore her honor. She becomes a lady-in-waiting for Estrella, who competes with Astolfo for the throne. She pleads with Sigismund for justice, who agrees to punish Astolfo for his betrayal.
Rosaura influences Sigismund's character development and moral choices. She inspires pity and compassion in him, when he sees her suffering in prison. She sparks anger and violence in him, when he tries to rape her in the palace. and compassion in him, when he agrees to punish Astolfo for his betrayal.
Conclusion
Calderon Zivot Je San is a masterpiece of Spanish literature and drama. It explores universal themes such as identity, freedom, responsibility, justice, love, and illusion. It combines poetic language, dramatic action, symbolic imagery, and philosophical reflection. It challenges the audience to question their own reality and morality.
Calderon Zivot Je San is a play that invites us to dream and to act well. It shows us that life is a dream that depends on how we act, and that we must act well even if we are dreaming. It also shows us that we can overcome our fate by using our reason and our will. It teaches us that we can become better people by learning from our mistakes and by listening to our conscience.
If you want to read this classic Spanish play, you can download a PDF version of Calderon Zivot Je San from this link. You will not regret it.
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about Calderon Zivot Je San:
Question
Answer
What is the meaning of the title Calderon Zivot Je San?
The title means "Life is a Dream" in Croatian. The original title in Spanish is "La vida es sueño". The play was translated into Croatian by Miroslav Krleža in 1924.
When and where was Calderon Zivot Je San first performed?
The play was first performed in 1635 at the Royal Palace of Buen Retiro in Madrid, Spain. It was commissioned by King Philip IV of Spain for his court.
Who are the main characters of Calderon Zivot Je San?
The main characters are Sigismund, the prince of Poland; Basilio, the king of Poland; Rosaura, a young woman dressed as a man; Clotaldo, an old man who raised Sigismund; Astolfo, the duke of Muscovy; and Estrella, the princess of Poland.
What are the main themes of Calderon Zivot Je San?
The main themes are free will vs fate, reality vs illusion, human nature vs education, authority vs rebellion, justice vs mercy, and love vs honor.
What are some famous quotes from Calderon Zivot Je San?
Some famous quotes are: - "What is life? A frenzy. What is life? An illusion, a shadow, a fiction. And the greatest good is small; for all life is a dream, and dreams themselves are only dreams." - "He who dreams lives more than he who does not." - "I do not know who I am; I only know what I am not." - "The wise man knows how to be silent; only fools talk." - "To be good is to be happy."