The Wonder-Working Magician by Pedro Calderón de la Barca

"The Wonder-Working Magician" by Pedro Calderón de la Barca is a dramatic work that likely dates from the mid-17th century. The play unfolds in Antioch and centers around Cyprian, a scholar who grapples with complex themes of love and morality, as well as the influence of supernatural forces in human affairs. It is heavily influenced by Calderón's exploration of philosophical and metaphysical questions, particularly regarding fate and free will. At the start of the play, we meet Cyprian, a devoted scholar who seeks solitude amid the festive celebrations in Antioch. He is accompanied by his servants, Clarin and Moscon, who represent contrasting attitudes toward love and life. Soon, Cyprian encounters a mysterious Demon who challenges his intellect and introduces elements of enchantment and manipulation into the narrative. This interaction sets the tone for the examination of love’s trials and the struggle for independence against societal pressures, marked by the looming presence of Justina, the object of desire that ignites rivalry among the characters. The opening portion effectively establishes the characters and the emotional stakes while hinting at the deeper philosophical themes Calderón is renowned for. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Download for free

For your e-reader or reading app — Kindle, Kobo, Apple Books, Calibre etc.

Other formats & older devices

About this eBook

Author Calderón de la Barca, Pedro, 1600-1681
Translator MacCarthy, Denis Florence, 1817-1882
Title The Wonder-Working Magician
Credits Produced by Sue Asscher, and David Widger
Reading Level Reading ease score: 80.1 (6th grade). Easy to read.
Language English
LoC Class PQ: Language and Literatures: Romance literatures: French, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese
Subject Justina, Saint, -304 -- Drama
Subject Cyprian, Saint, -304 -- Drama
Category Text
eBook-No. 6372
Release Date
Last Update Feb 1, 2013
Copyright Public domain in the USA.
Downloads 494 downloads in the last 30 days.

Project Gutenberg eBooks are always free!