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Arms and the Man

George Bernard Shaw

Book Overview: 

Arms and the Man is a comedy by George Bernard Shaw that takes place during the Serbo-Bulgarian War. Raina Petkoff is engaged to the gallant Sergius Saranoff, hero of the recent Bulgarian victory over the Serbs. But she is distracted by the abrupt arrival of Captain Bluntschli, a Swiss mercenary who fought for the Serbian army. He takes refuge in her bedroom after the battle and although he is initially threatening, reveals that he carries chocolates instead of bullets. Will Raina marry the posturing Sergius or the chocolate cream soldier? Extra intrigue is provided by saucy servant girl Louka, her dour fiance Nicola, and Raina's hand-wringing parents.

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Book Excerpt: 
. . .It's not loaded. (He makes a grimace at it, and drops it disparagingly into his revolver case.)

RAINA. Load it by all means.

MAN. I've no ammunition. What use are cartridges in battle? I always carry chocolate instead; and I finished the last cake of that yesterday.

RAINA (outraged in her most cherished ideals of manhood). Chocolate! Do you stuff your pockets with sweets—like a schoolboy—even in the field?

MAN. Yes. Isn't it contemptible?

(Raina stares at him, unable to utter her feelings. Then she sails away scornfully to the chest of drawers, and returns with the box of confectionery in her hand.)

RAINA. Allow me. I am sorry I have eaten them all except these. (She offers him the box.)

MAN (ravenously). You're an angel! (He gobbles the comfits.) Cr. . . Read More

Community Reviews

Oh yes... & NOW the Nobel Prize seems more than adequate for Shaw.

It is awesome to see how Shaw has honed his skill considerably (both "Widower's Houses" and "Mrs. Warren's Profession", written a few years before this one, are slightly more pedantic and the characters are less likeable, albeit, anti

Arms and the Man (1894) by drama great George Bernard Shaw is a little lighter than his usual comedy written during the height of his powers. It may be his first great play. He’s known for having great dialogue, with at least one or two combatively provocative characters, but this one if lighter and

- "الإنسان والسلاح" هي مسرحية نشرت عام 1898 ، تدور احداثها في نهاية الحرب البلغارية - الصربية القصيرة.

- المسرحية تتجاذب بين الرومانسية والواقعية بإسلوب برنارد شو الكوميدي الساخر في تعرية المفاهيم (الحب، الحرب، الطبقية..) وقلبها رأساً على عقب في بعض الأحيان.

- تقوم "رايينا" بحماية احد الجنود المرتزقة

Arms and the Man is Bernard Shaw’s first great play. It is filled with witty and amusing dialogue, a diverting and well-constructed plot, and charming, well differentiated characters. A perfect light comedy designed to amuse the most jaded audience, it is also a deadly serious play that launches a f

Reinventing the War Hero
6 December 2015

If we don't count the National Theatre version of Man and Superman that I watched in the cinema this would be the first Shavian play that I have seen performed (though I would add the word live considering the National Theatre version was videoed and then dist

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