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nicozinos's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I thoroughly enjoyed this play. It was very clever and witty and moved along so fast that I was had finished it before I knew it. All the characters are so well done and play off of each other perfectly.
vitaluna's review against another edition
5.0
4 stars, or 5 stars, that is the question....
Could he have done anything better?
Not really...
5 stars it is!
Could he have done anything better?
Not really...
5 stars it is!
inesparis's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
vickymcckey's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
pream's review against another edition
funny
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
G.B. Shaw's play "Arms and the Man" is a captivating anti-romantic comedy that showcases his signature style of thought-provoking drama, focusing on ideas rather than mere entertainment. In stark contrast to Vergil's "The Aeneid", which glorifies battle, Shaw's writing takes a critical stance. He skillfully dismantles idealistic notions of life, particularly those surrounding love and war, while also employing satire to highlight real-world societal challenges. Personally, I find the play's iconic dialogues to be truly stimulating.
In addition, I believe that "Arms and the Man" should be included in the curriculum of Indian schools as it can help students grasp the concept of hyper-nationalism (coupled with targated religious intolerance against the people of a particular religion), which is currently prevailing in India due to the government's influence and the sellout, boot licking mainstream media.
In addition, I believe that "Arms and the Man" should be included in the curriculum of Indian schools as it can help students grasp the concept of hyper-nationalism (coupled with targated religious intolerance against the people of a particular religion), which is currently prevailing in India due to the government's influence and the sellout, boot licking mainstream media.
veenasoujanya's review against another edition
5.0
George Bernard Shaw is widely popular and famous for his works and Arms and the Man is surely one of his best. With a serious subject like a war in the background, Shaw beautifully portrays the sham of the so-called War heroes and the romantic view of the war by the society and women.
Raina Petkoff intends, at the time the play opens, to become the wife of Major Sergius Saranoff, who is then away fighting the Serbs. When the news reaches home that Major Saranoff has bravely headed a cavalry charge by taking a risk and became victorious, Raina rejoices as her betrothed is 'just as splendid and noble as he looks!'. The romantic view of war changes for Raina when an enemy officer, enters into her room from the balcony to take refuge. After going through the emotions of scare and sneer, Raina feels pity towards the soldier and allows him to rest in her room taking her mother into confidence. When the man introduces himself as a professional soldier who fights for money but not the cause, her view towards patriotism wavers and reality strikes when he explains that food is more important than ammunition in a war. The duplicity of heroism is further enhanced when the man speaks about Major Saranoff as "of all the fools ever let loose on a field of battle, the man must be the very maddest", clarifying that what the Major did with his regiment was suicidal and they survived because of the sheer luck as the ammunition of the opposite team is depleted.
In the next act, Major Petkoff reaches home after a peace treaty between the two countries and chided by his wife for not annexing Serbia, which he clarifies by telling her that the government didn't ask for his advice. Major Sergius too comes to Petkoff's home to meet Raina and announce with dissatisfaction that his heroic act is not considered and he was not promoted and decides to leave Soldiering, saying that it "is the coward's act of attacking mercilessly when you are strong, and keeping out of harm's way when you are weak." The situation gets more complicated when Captain Bluntschli arrives and the two women recognise him to be the wounded soldier.
As the story further progresses Raina realises Bluntschli to be an able and efficient man who is requested by Major Petkoff and Sergius to help them in solving a problem though before the peace treaty he fought from the enemy lines. In the meantime, Sergius is seen romancing with the maid Louka as he considers himself to be a war hero who is worshipped by every woman. After a few revelations both the men realise Bluntschli to be the man whose story of being rescued by two women is well known in the cavalry and the two women are none other than Raina and her mother Catherine. A few more confrontations and the story ends on a happy note with Raina choosing the more matured, practical and well settled Bluntschli as her husband and Sergius agreeing to marry Louka.
The idealistic notion which prevailed during the war period that men fight because they are heroes and the soldier who takes the biggest risks wins the greatest glory is negated in the book and the author through his hero Captain Bluntschli accentuate the need of chocolate more than cartridge during the war. Though the book makes you split with laughter the undercurrent reality and philosophy doesn't go unnoticed.
With subtle comedy and sarcastic dialogues, the subtitle of Anti-Romantic Comedy does justice to this book.
Raina Petkoff intends, at the time the play opens, to become the wife of Major Sergius Saranoff, who is then away fighting the Serbs. When the news reaches home that Major Saranoff has bravely headed a cavalry charge by taking a risk and became victorious, Raina rejoices as her betrothed is 'just as splendid and noble as he looks!'. The romantic view of war changes for Raina when an enemy officer, enters into her room from the balcony to take refuge. After going through the emotions of scare and sneer, Raina feels pity towards the soldier and allows him to rest in her room taking her mother into confidence. When the man introduces himself as a professional soldier who fights for money but not the cause, her view towards patriotism wavers and reality strikes when he explains that food is more important than ammunition in a war. The duplicity of heroism is further enhanced when the man speaks about Major Saranoff as "of all the fools ever let loose on a field of battle, the man must be the very maddest", clarifying that what the Major did with his regiment was suicidal and they survived because of the sheer luck as the ammunition of the opposite team is depleted.
In the next act, Major Petkoff reaches home after a peace treaty between the two countries and chided by his wife for not annexing Serbia, which he clarifies by telling her that the government didn't ask for his advice. Major Sergius too comes to Petkoff's home to meet Raina and announce with dissatisfaction that his heroic act is not considered and he was not promoted and decides to leave Soldiering, saying that it "is the coward's act of attacking mercilessly when you are strong, and keeping out of harm's way when you are weak." The situation gets more complicated when Captain Bluntschli arrives and the two women recognise him to be the wounded soldier.
As the story further progresses Raina realises Bluntschli to be an able and efficient man who is requested by Major Petkoff and Sergius to help them in solving a problem though before the peace treaty he fought from the enemy lines. In the meantime, Sergius is seen romancing with the maid Louka as he considers himself to be a war hero who is worshipped by every woman. After a few revelations both the men realise Bluntschli to be the man whose story of being rescued by two women is well known in the cavalry and the two women are none other than Raina and her mother Catherine. A few more confrontations and the story ends on a happy note with Raina choosing the more matured, practical and well settled Bluntschli as her husband and Sergius agreeing to marry Louka.
The idealistic notion which prevailed during the war period that men fight because they are heroes and the soldier who takes the biggest risks wins the greatest glory is negated in the book and the author through his hero Captain Bluntschli accentuate the need of chocolate more than cartridge during the war. Though the book makes you split with laughter the undercurrent reality and philosophy doesn't go unnoticed.
With subtle comedy and sarcastic dialogues, the subtitle of Anti-Romantic Comedy does justice to this book.