Four Plays: R. U. R., The Insect Play, The Makropulos Case, The White Plague - Softcover

Capek, Karel

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0413771903 ISBN 13: 9780413771902

Publisher: Methuen Drama, 1999

Synopsis

"There was no writer like him. . . prophetic assurance mixed with surrealistic humour and hard-edged social satire: a unique combination" (Arthur Miller)

This volume brings together fresh new translations of four of his most popular plays, more than ever relevant today. In R. U. R., the Robot - an idea Çapek was the first to invent - gradually takes over all aspects of human existence except procreation; The Insect Play is a satirical fable in which beetles, butterflies and ants give dramatic form to different philosophies of life; The Makropulos Case is a fantasy about human mortality, finally celebrating the average lifespan; The White Plague is a savage and anguished satire against fascist dictatorship and the virus of inhumanity.

About this title

About the Author

There was no writer like him... He made it possible to actually invent worlds, and with laughter into the bargain. This prophetic assurance was mixed with a brand-new surrealistic humour, and it was honed to hard-edged social satire, still a unique combination'. - Arthur Miller. Karel Capek (1890-1938) was one of the most original Czech writers of the 1920s and 30s, whose works were the inspiration for much of the science fiction of Europe and America. Endlessly inventive and extraordinarily prescient, full of humour and wit, his plays explore and defend man's humanity. He is known for <I>RUR </I>where the robot - an idea Capek was the first to invent - gradually takes over all aspects of human existence except procreation; <I>The Insect play</I>, a satirical fable in which beetles, butterflies and ants give dramatic form to different philosophies of life; <I>The Makropulos Case</I>, which examines human mortality, finally celebrating the average lifespan and <I>The White Plague</I>, a savage and anguished satire against fascist dictatorship and the virus of inhumanity.

From the Back Cover

This volume brings together fresh new translations of four of Capek's most popular plays, relevant today more than ever. In R.U.R., the Robot -- an idea Capek was first to invent -- gradually takes over all aspects of human existence except procreation. The Insect Play is a satirical fable in which beetles, butterflies and ants give dramatic form to different philosophies of life. The Makropulos Case is a fantasy about human mortality, finally celebrating the average life span. The White Plague is a savage and anguished satire against fascist dictatorship and the virus of inhumanity.

Edition details

• Publisher: Methuen Drama
• Publication date: 1999
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0413771903
• ISBN 13: 9780413771902
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 327