James Baquet The Spanish playwright Pedro Calderon de la Barca, commonly called simply “Calderon,” was a near-contemporary of Shakespeare, and holds a position in Spanish literature similar to that of the Bard in English (along with countryman Lope de Vega). Few of his works have captured the imagination of the English-speaking world like his “Life Is a Dream,” which has one of the cleverest philosophical plot twists imaginable. The play focuses on a fictional Polish prince, Segismundo, and opens with him locked in a tower by his father, King Basilio, because an oracle had predicted that the prince would bring disgrace to Poland and kill his father. But Segismundo doesn’t know he’s a prince, and feels he has been locked up for “the crime of being born.” When his cousins at court, a duke and a princess, suggest that, if married, they should inherit the throne, the king reveals the imprisonment of Segismundo, and decides he must give his son a chance before turning the throne over to his nephew and niece. So Segismundo’s keeper (and tutor) Clotaldo gives the prince a sedative that puts him in a death-like sleep. He is brought to court where, when awakened and told his own history, he flies into a rage and ends up killing a servant. The king demands an explanation, but Segismundo is belligerent, demanding his rightful place. The king warns him that if he doesn’t behave, he may discover that he is simply dreaming. Unrepentant, he is about to get into a duel for his honor when the king sedates him again, and returns him to the tower. When he wakes in the tower, Segismundo tells Clotaldo about his “dream.” His tutor reminds him that even in dreams, we must act kindly and justly. He leaves Segismundo reflecting on the human situation and the mystery of life. When the people learn that they have a prince, they rebel against the king, and break Segismundo out of prison. When King Basilio is captured, his son decides to spare his life. This generosity causes the king to proclaim Segismundo the true heir to his throne. The prince becomes a kind and just king, and declares that, asleep or awake, one must strive for goodness. Vocabulary: Which word above means: 1. work hard (to accomplish something) 2. prophet, medium 3. pertaining to the world of ideas 4. not apologetic 5. bad reputation 6. refrain from taking 7. drug that causes sleep 8. one living at almost the same time 9. surprises in a story 10. rise up in arms ANSWERS: 1. strive (for) 2. oracle 3. philosophical 4. unrepentant 5. disgrace 6. spare 7. sedative 8. near-contemporary 9. plot twists 10. rebel | 