George Bernard Shaw

George Bernard Shaw (1856-1950) was an Irish playwright, critic, polemicist and political activist. Born in Dublin, he moved to London when he turned twenty. Having rejected formal schooling, he educated himself by independent study in the reading room of the British Museum; he also began his career there by writing novels for which he could not find a publisher. His first success was as a music and literary critic, but he was drawn to drama and authored more than sixty plays during his career. Typically his work is leavened by a delightful vein of comedy, but nearly all of it bears earnest messages. He remains the only person to have been awarded both a Nobel Prize (1925) for his contribution to literature and an Oscar (1938) for Pygmalion.

Pygmalion is a play by George Bernard Shaw, named after a Greek mythological figure. It was first presented on stage to the public in 1913. Its English-language premiere took place at Her Majesty's Theatre in the West End in April 1914 and starred Herbert Beerbohm Tree as phonetics professor Henry Higgins and Mrs Patrick Campbell as Cockney flower girl Eliza Doolittle. Shaw's play has been adapted numerous times, most notably as the 1938 film Pygmalion, the 1956 musical My Fair Lady and its 1964 film version. The play was well received by critics in major cities following its premieres in Vienna, London, and New York. It was the most broadly appealing of all Shaw's plays.

Arms and the Man is a comedy by George Bernard Shaw, whose title comes from the opening words of Virgil's Aeneid, in Latin: Arma virumque cano ("Of arms and the man I sing"). The play was first produced in 1894 at the Avenue Theatre and published in 1898 as part of Shaw's Plays Pleasant volume, which also included Candida, You Never Can Tell, and The Man of Destiny. Arms and the Man was one of Shaw's first commercial successes. He was called onto stage after the curtain, where he received enthusiastic applause. Amidst the cheers, one audience member booed. Shaw replied, in characteristic fashion, "My dear fellow, I quite agree with you, but what are we two against so many?"

Androcles and the Lion is a 1912 play written by George Bernard Shaw. The play is Shaw's retelling of the tale of Androcles, a slave who is saved by the requiting mercy of a lion. In the play, Shaw portrays Androcles to be one of the many Christians being led to the Colosseum for torture. Characters in the play exemplify several themes and takes on both modern and supposed early Christianity, including the cultural clash between Jesus' teachings and traditional Roman values.

A sharp and thought-provoking exploration of morality, power, and social responsibility, Major Barbara is one of George Bernard Shaw's most provocative works. The play follows Barbara Undershaft, a devoted Salvation Army officer, as she grapples with the unsettling reality that charity and philanthropy are often intertwined with wealth generated by industry and warfare. When her estranged father, a powerful arms manufacturer, challenges her ideals, Barbara is forced to confront difficult questions about poverty, ethics, and the true nature of salvation. Through incisive dialogue and biting wit, Shaw examines the tensions between faith, capitalism, and human nature, inviting readers to reconsider conventional notions of good and evil. A compelling blend of social critique and intellectual debate, Major Barbara remains a strikingly relevant study of the moral dilemmas that shape society.

Illustrated Edition: Includes 20 detailed illustrations capturing key moments of the drama.Includes a Comprehensive Summary: A succinct and engaging summary to enhance your understanding of the play.Character List Provided: Detailed descriptions of each character to enrich your reading experience.Author Biography: Learn about the life and times of George Bernard Shaw, the genius behind the masterpiece.Dive into the compelling world of "Saint Joan," George Bernard Shaw's masterful play that dramatizes the life of Joan of Arc, the fearless saint and savior of France. This illustrated edition brings the historical drama to life with 20 vivid illustrations that beautifully portray the pivotal moments of Joan's journey. From her humble beginnings in a remote French village to the spectacular highs of leading an army and the tragic end at the stake, Shaw's portrayal of Joan is both intimate and monumental."Saint Joan" is celebrated not just as a historical account but as a vibrant commentary on the complexities of faith, nationalism, and the powerful institutions that govern society. Shaw's sharp wit and insightful observations make the play a critical piece of literature that transcends time and geography.This edition is enriched with a thoughtful summary, a detailed list of characters, and a biography of George Bernard Shaw, providing readers with a deeper understanding of the historical context and the literary genius of Shaw. Whether you're a student, a lover of classic literature, or a newcomer to Shaw's works, this edition of "Saint Joan" promises to be a captivating and enriching read that brings the legendary heroine to life.

Includes "The Devil's Disciple," "Caesar and Cleopatra," and "Captain Brassbound's Conversion," plus prefaces and notes by George Bernard Shaw.

Includes "The Devil's Disciple," "Caesar and Cleopatra," and "Captain Brassbound's Conversion," plus prefaces and notes by George Bernard Shaw.

Candida, a comedy by playwright George Bernard Shaw, was written in 1894 and first published in 1898, as part of his Plays Pleasant. The central characters are clergyman James Morell, his wife Candida and a youthful poet, Eugene Marchbanks, who tries to win Candida's affections. The play questions Victorian notions of love and marriage, asking what a woman really desires from her husband. The cleric is a Christian Socialist, allowing Shaw-himself a Fabian Socialist-to weave political issues, current at the time, into the story.