The Inca of Perusalem: An Almost Historical Comedietta

"The Inca of Perusalem: An Almost Historical Comedietta" by George Bernard Shaw is a comedic play written in the early 20th century during the World War I era. The work satirizes the political climate of the time, using the character of the Inca as a foil to explore themes of power, war, and identity. Shaw's clever dialogue and character interactions provide a humorous take on serious subjects, particularly the absurdities inherent in the socio-political landscape of wartime. The plot revolves around Ermyntrude, the daughter of an archdeacon, who finds herself entangled in a web of royal expectations when she becomes embroiled in the affairs of the Inca of Perusalem. As she navigates the bizarre circumstances of potentially marrying one of the Inca's sons, humorous exchanges unfold between her and the Inca himself, who is revealed to be more man than myth. The play highlights Ermyntrude's strong personality as she subverts traditional roles expected of women and critiques the nature of aristocracy and authority. Ultimately, Shaw crafts a narrative that entertains while simultaneously provoking thought about the true nature of power and the human condition amidst chaos. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

George Bernard Shaw, known at his insistence as Bernard Shaw, was an Irish playwright, critic, polemicist and political activist. His influence on Western theatre, culture and politics extended from the 1880s to his death and beyond. He wrote more than sixty plays, including major works such as Man and Superman (1902), Pygmalion (1913) and Saint Joan (1923). With a range incorporating both contemporary satire and historical allegory, Shaw became the leading dramatist of his generation, and in 1925 was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature.