The Greatest Italian, Swedish "Plays" Books of All Time

Click to learn how this list is calculated.

This list represents a comprehensive and trusted collection of the greatest books. Developed through a specialized algorithm, it brings together 300 'best of' book lists to form a definitive guide to the world's most acclaimed books. For those interested in how these books are chosen, additional details can be found on the rankings page.

Filter by: Genres Dates Countries
Follow on:

Genres

Plays

Plays are a category of literature that consists of written works intended for performance on stage. They typically feature dialogue between characters and are structured into acts and scenes. Plays can be comedic, tragic, or a combination of both, and often explore themes such as love, power, and morality. They are meant to be performed by actors in front of an audience, and can be enjoyed both as written works and as live performances.

Add additional genre filters

Countries

Italian

Swedish

Add additional country filters

Date Range

Filter

Reading Statistics

Click the button below to see how many of these books you've read!

Download

If you're interested in downloading this list as a CSV file for use in a spreadsheet application, you can easily do so by clicking the button below. Please note that to ensure a manageable file size and faster download, the CSV will include details for only the first 500 books.

Download
  1. 1. Six Characters in Search of an Author by Luigi Pirandello

    In this metatheatrical play, six characters come to life and demand that a theater director tell their tragic story, which was left incomplete by their author. As the director and his actors interact with these characters, the boundaries between fiction and reality blur, leading to a philosophical exploration of the nature of human identity, the reliability of art, and the unreliability of perception. The characters' story, involving a complex web of familial relationships, adultery, and suicide, further complicates the narrative, challenging the audience's understanding of truth and illusion.

  2. 2. Miss Julie by August Strindberg

    "Miss Julie" is a classic play that delves into the themes of class, love, and power. The story revolves around the daughter of a Count who, in a moment of passion, becomes involved with her father's valet. This scandalous affair leads to a tumultuous power struggle between the two characters, ultimately resulting in tragedy. The narrative explores the dynamics of gender and class in the late 19th century, revealing the societal constraints that lead to the characters' downfall.

  3. 3. The Father by August Strindberg

    "The Father" is a dramatic play that explores the battle of the sexes through the lens of a dysfunctional family. The story centers on a military captain and his wife as they engage in a power struggle over the future of their daughter. The wife manipulates everyone around her to convince them that her husband is insane, leading to tragic consequences. The narrative delves deep into themes of gender roles, power dynamics, and the nature of truth.

  4. 4. The Ghost Sonata by August Strindberg

    The play delves into the dark and mysterious world of a young student who, after a chance encounter, becomes entangled in the lives of the residents of a haunted house. As he becomes more involved, he is exposed to the deceit, betrayal, and moral decay that lie beneath the surface of the seemingly respectable household. The narrative unfolds through a series of surreal and ghostly events, revealing the psychological and existential struggles of the characters as they grapple with their past sins, illusions of love, and the search for redemption and truth in a world filled with secrets and specters.

  5. 5. Henry Iv by Luigi Pirandello

    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.

  6. 6. Accidental Death Of An Anarchist by Dario Fo

    In this satirical farce, an eccentric and quick-witted man, referred to as the Maniac, infiltrates a police station where an anarchist railway worker's death is being investigated. The authorities claim the anarchist died by suicide, having jumped out of a window during an interrogation. However, the Maniac cleverly impersonates various officials, manipulates the policemen, and exposes the absurdities and contradictions in their stories, suggesting that the anarchist's death was not an accident but a cover-up of police brutality. The play uses sharp humor and slapstick to critique corruption and the misuse of power within the establishment, ultimately questioning the integrity of the police and the justice system.

  7. 7. The Servant Of Two Masters by Carlo Goldoni

    The play is a classic Italian comedy that revolves around the clever and resourceful Truffaldino, who seeks to serve two different masters simultaneously in the hope of doubling his income. The ensuing plot is a whirlwind of mistaken identities, love triangles, and comedic confusions. As Truffaldino scrambles to keep his dual employment a secret, the characters are entangled in a series of humorous situations involving love-struck young lovers, a feisty soubrette, and a pair of stern fathers. The play culminates in a series of revelations and reconciliations that restore social order and conclude with festive celebrations.

  8. 8. The Dance Of Death by August Strindberg

    "The Dance of Death" is a darkly comedic play that delves into the tumultuous and decaying marriage of Edgar and Alice, an aging military captain and his wife, who are living in an isolated fortress. As they engage in psychological warfare, their toxic relationship is laid bare, revealing deep-seated resentment, bitterness, and a twisted dependency on one another. The arrival of Kurt, Alice's cousin, further intensifies the situation, as old wounds are reopened and the characters are forced to confront the reality of their lives and the destructive nature of their bond. The play is a stark exploration of marital strife, the human condition, and the intricate and often destructive dance that is human relationships.

  9. 9. Saul by Vittorio Alfieri

    "Saul" is a dramatic tragedy that unfolds in ancient Israel, focusing on the eponymous King Saul, who is tormented by jealousy and an obsession with the young David, the future king. The play delves into themes of power, madness, and divine will, as Saul's mental state deteriorates and his kingdom falls into chaos. His tragic flaw leads him to confrontations with his own family, his people, and ultimately, his downfall, as he grapples with the loss of God's favor and the rise of his successor. The narrative is a powerful exploration of human weakness and the destructive potential of unchecked emotions.

  10. 10. A Dream Play by August Strindberg

    In the play, the audience is taken on a surreal journey through the dreamlike experiences of the daughter of a god who descends to Earth to better understand human suffering. The narrative defies conventional time and space, weaving together a series of disjointed scenes that reflect the illogical and fluid nature of dreams. The characters she encounters are trapped in their own cycles of misery, their lives marked by frustration, disappointment, and the futility of their pursuits. The dreamer navigates this shifting landscape, attempting to find meaning and compassion within the chaos, ultimately revealing the universal struggles of the human condition.

  11. 11. Naked Masks by Luigi Pirandello

    "Naked Masks" is a collection of five plays that delve into the complexities of human identity and the conflict between one's inner self and the roles imposed by society. The plays explore themes of madness, illusion, and existential uncertainty, often through characters who are caught in the tension between appearance and reality. The author uses the metaphor of the mask to represent the personas that individuals adopt in public, while questioning the nature of truth and the possibility of truly understanding oneself or others. The plays challenge audiences to consider the fluidity of identity and the performative aspects of everyday life.

  12. 12. The Mandrake by Niccolo Machiavelli

    "The Mandrake" is a satirical play that explores themes of corruption, deceit, and the manipulation of social norms. Set in Renaissance Italy, the story revolves around a young man who, desperate to win the affections of a beautiful but married woman, concocts a complex scheme involving a love potion derived from the mandrake root. With the help of a cunning rascal and a corrupt priest, the plan unfolds with a series of deceptions and moral compromises, ultimately questioning the true nature of virtue and vice in a society rife with hypocrisy. The play delves into the darker aspects of human behavior, using wit and humor to expose the lengths to which individuals will go to satisfy their desires.

  13. 13. To Damascus by August Strindberg

    "To Damascus" is a semi-autobiographical play that follows the spiritual journey of the protagonist, known as the Stranger, who embarks on a quest for meaning and redemption. Struggling with guilt, doubt, and a sense of existential despair, he encounters various symbolic characters, including the Confessor and the Lady, who represent different aspects of his psyche and philosophical challenges. The play delves into themes of faith, suffering, and the search for truth, as the Stranger's pilgrimage reflects the author's own introspective exploration of personal crisis and spiritual awakening. Set against the backdrop of turn-of-the-century Europe, the work is a complex blend of psychological drama and religious allegory, illustrating the profound inner conflicts and transformative experiences of its central figure.

  14. 14. La Triologia Della Villegiatura by Carlo Goldoni

    "La Trilogia della Villegiatura" is a series of three comedies that satirize the habits and foibles of the middle class in 18th-century Italy as they engage in the fashionable practice of taking a holiday in the countryside. The trilogy follows a group of friends and their families as they navigate the social and romantic complexities of their vacation. Throughout the plays, the characters deal with issues of love, marriage, and social status, revealing the pretentiousness and shallowness of their behavior. The author uses wit and humor to critique the obsession with appearances and the frivolity of his contemporaries, while also exploring deeper themes of human nature and relationships.

Reading Statistics

Click the button below to see how many of these books you've read!

Download

If you're interested in downloading this list as a CSV file for use in a spreadsheet application, you can easily do so by clicking the button below. Please note that to ensure a manageable file size and faster download, the CSV will include details for only the first 500 books.

Download