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Life Is a Dream by Pedro Calderón de la Barca

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Book name: Life Is a Dream (2024)
Category: Allegorical
Author:
Language: Spanish; Castilian
Publication data: Jan. 1, 1635, midnight
"Life is a Dream" is a philosophical allegory regarding the human situation and the mystery of life. The play follows the story of Segismundo, Prince of Poland, who has been imprisoned in a tower by his father, King Basilio, following a dire prophecy that the prince would bring disaster to the country and death to the King. Basilio briefly frees Segismundo but returns him to the tower when the prince proves violent and unruly. The story explores themes of free will, fate, power and the thin line that separates reality from dreams. The 719th greatest book of all time

About the author

Pedro Calderón de la Barca

Pedro Calderón de la Barca

5 books

Pedro Calderón de la Barca y Henao was a dramatist of the Spanish Golden Age.

Calderón initiated what has been called the second cycle of Spanish Golden Age theatre. Whereas his predecessor, Lope de Vega, pioneered the dramatic forms and genres of Spanish Golden Age theatre, Calderón polished and perfected them. Whereas Lope's strength lay in the sponteneity and naturalness of his work, Calderón's strength lay in his capacity for poetic beauty, dramatic structure and philosophical depth. Calderó… Read more