One of Bernard Shaw's most glittering comedies, "Arms and the Man" is a burlesqu
e of Victorian attitudes to heroism, war and empire. In the contrast between Blu
ntschli, the mercenary soldier, and the brave leader, Sergius, the true nature o
f valour is revealed. Shaw mocks deluded idealism in Candida, when a young poet
becomes infatuated with the wife of a Socialist preacher.
"The Man of Destiny
" is a witty war of words between Napoleon and a 'strange lady', while in the ex
uberant farce "You Never Can Tell" a divided family is reunited by chance. Altho
ugh Shaw intended "Plays Pleasant" to be gentler comedies than those in their co
mpanion volume, "Plays Unpleasant", their prophetic satire is sharp and provocat
ive.
