Henry Iv by Luigi Pirandello
A Comedy in Three Acts
In this novel, the protagonist is a man who, after an accident during a historical pageant, comes to believe himself to be the medieval German emperor Henry IV. For twenty years, he lives in a villa with attendants who indulge his delusion. The story delves into themes of madness, reality, and illusion as characters from his past attempt to cure him, leading to a complex examination of the nature of sanity and the role that personal mythologies play in our lives. As the line between the protagonist's delusion and the reality of those around him blurs, the narrative raises profound questions about the nature of identity and the masks people wear in society.
The 14781st greatest book of all time
- Published
- 1922
- Nationality
- Italian
- Length
- Very Short
- Pages
- 80
- Original Language
- Italian
- Avg User Rating
-
(3.0)
- Alternate Titles
-
- Enrico IV
- Henry IV
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This book is on the following 2 lists:
- 63rd on From Oedipus to The History Boys: Michael Billington's 101 greatest plays (The Guardian)
- The 40 best plays of all time (Independent)