Life Is a Dream

The masterwork of Spain’s preeminent dramatist—now in a new verse translationLife Is a Dreamis a work many hold to be the supreme example of Spanish Golden Age drama. Imbued with highly poetic language and humanist ideals, it is an allegory that considers contending themes of free will and predestination, illusion and reality, played out against the backdrop of court intrigue and the restoration of personal honor.In the mountainous barrens of Poland, the rightful heir to the kingdom has been imprisoned since birth in an attempt by his father to thwart fate. Meanwhile, a noblewoman arrives to seek revenge against the man who deceived and forsook her love for the prospect of becoming king of Poland. Richly symbolic and metaphorical, Life Is a Dreamexplores the deepest mysteries of human experience.

Pedro Calder+¦n de la Barca (1600-û1681) is considered Spain-'s greatest playwright.
Gregary Racz is a specialist in poetic translation. He is associate professor in the Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures at Long Island University, Brooklyn.