Life Is a Dream

Synopsis

Life Is a Dream is a Spanish play based on a dire prophecy written by Pedro Calderón de la Barca, a Spanish dramatist remembered as one of the finest playwrights of world literature.  His notable works include The Siege of Breda, Love, Honor and Power, The Phantom Lady and The House with Two Doors.

Basilio, The king of Poland prisons his son Segismundo, believing a prophecy which says the prince will bring disasters to his kingdom and his death.  Segismundo’s imprisonment in a tower is guarded by Clotaldo, who is loyal to the king.  The people of the kingdom have been made to believe that their prince Segismundo had died during his birth along with his mother. 

Prince Segismundo has been given a chance to prove the prophecy as false, and has been freed after a sedative. While freed he reacts in a vengeance with everyone who denied his rights since his birth. His actions results in his re-imprisonment by the King who illusion his son it was a dream. In the preceding incidents, the people of the kingdom learn about their Prince’s imprisonment and free him from the prison and accompany him for a war against the King. Prince Segismundo wins the war, however he forgives his father and make the prophecy false.

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