Life Is a Dream: Analysis of Major Characters
"Life Is a Dream," a philosophical play by Pedro Calderón de la Barca, explores the complexities of reality and illusion through its major characters, primarily Segismundo, who is imprisoned due to ominous prophecies about his future. Segismundo’s journey begins when he is forcibly removed from his tower to the royal court, where he struggles with his identity and questions the nature of his existence, believing at one point that his experiences may be mere dreams. The character of Rosaura, disguised as a man, seeks revenge against Astolfo, who has betrayed her trust, and becomes entwined with Segismundo’s fate. King Basilio, Segismundo's father, grapples with the political chaos surrounding the throne and must confront the consequences of his decisions regarding his son’s upbringing. Clotaldo, the general and guardian of Segismundo, offers insights into the play’s central themes, suggesting that dreams reveal human ambitions untamed by consciousness. Astolfo and Estrella represent the competing claims for the throne and the complexities of love and power within the narrative. Additionally, Fife, as the comic servant, provides humor while reflecting on the philosophical undertones of the story. The intricate relationships and moral dilemmas faced by these characters prompt deeper reflections on fate, free will, and the boundaries of reality.
Life Is a Dream: Analysis of Major Characters
Author: Pedro Calderón de la Barca
First published: 1636
Genre: Play
Locale: Poland
Plot: Melodrama
Time: Sixteenth century
Segismundo (say-hees-MEWN-doh), the heir to the throne of Poland, who has been imprisoned in a tower on the Russian frontier because horrible portents at his birth and later predictions by astrologers have convinced his father, King Basilio, that the boy will grow into a monster who will destroy the land. Finally, because the king sees his land split over the matter of succession, Segismundo is drugged and transported from his prison to the court of Warsaw. There, uncouth and inexperienced, he behaves boorishly. He accuses the court of wronging him and scorns his father's explanations thus: “What man is so foolish as to lay on the disinterested stars the responsibility for his own actions?” Impossible as a king, he is again drugged and returned to his tower, where he is told it was all a dream. Later liberated by an army recruited by Rosaura, in revenge on the ambitious Astolfo, he thinks he is still dreaming. He wonders why he should strive in a dream for something that disappears upon waking. On that account, he will not accept the throne when his followers overthrow King Basilio. He treats everybody kindly and generously, marries Estrella, and forces Astolfo to keep his promise and marry Rosaura.
Rosaura (rroh-SAH-ew-rah), a Russian woman traveling with her servant Fife to the court of Warsaw to seek the Pole who had promised to marry her. Crossing the Russian-Polish boundary, disguised as a man for protection against bandits, she loses her horse and her way. She finds and sympathizes with a young man, chained to the doorway of a tower and bemoaning his fate. He warns her to flee, which she does, after giving him the sword she has been carrying.
Clotaldo (kloh-TAHL-doh), a Polish general and guardian of the imprisoned Segismundo. He captures Rosaura and Fife but sends them on their way. He recognizes the sword as one he had left in Russia with a noblewoman with whom he had been in love, and he supposes the disguised Rosaura is his own son. Duty to his king, however, seals his lips. When Segismundo returns to his tower prison from his unfortunate experiences in Warsaw, Clotaldo assures the prince that life is a dream and that in dreams men's evil thoughts and ambitions are unchecked. Awake, one can control one's passions and behave like a sane individual. Later, when Segismundo gets a second chance, Clotaldo is unharmed because of his earlier advice.
King Basilio (bah-SEE-lyoh), the father of Segismundo, faced with the problem of succession to the Polish throne. Claimants are Astolfo, his nephew, and Estrella, his niece; their rival supporters form political factions that will disrupt the country in civil war. Calling an assembly, King Basilio announces that his son, who supposedly died with his mother, is really alive. With the consent of the claimants, he will send for the prince and see what sort of king he might make.
Astolfo (ahs-TOHL-foh), one claimant for the Polish throne. While in Russia, he had contracted matrimony with Rosaura, but now he wants to marry Estrella so that he can be sure of becoming king of Poland. When Segismundo awakes from his drugged sleep, he manhandles Astolfo for daring to touch the attractive Estrella.
Estrella (ehs-TRAY-lyah), a princess whom Segismundo embraces, to the consternation of the courtiers. Eventually, after his second visit to the court, during which he acts with proper dignity because of his conviction that life is a dream, Estrella becomes his queen.
Fife (FEE-fay), the gracioso, or comic servant, of Rosaura, who adds humor and philosophy to the comedy.