Arms and the Man is a satire on love and War. Discuss the statement.

Shaw’s Arms and the Man‘ is a successful play of the contemporary word. Here he deals with the reality of romantic love. He exposes the ugly reality of romantic lovers. They claim higher love.

Basis Theme of Romantic Love. Structure of the romantic love is very important in this play. Sergius has been presented as romantic lover. He is engaged to Raina. She two expresses great love for Sergius.Sergius declares that he is inspired by Raina. Raina is the embodiment of romanticism about soldiering and love Bluntschli is a realistic man of love and war. Louka is ambition and intelligent towards live. Raina whispers before the portrait of Sergius that he is ‘My Hero’, ‘My Soul’s Hero’. As she meets Sergius after the war was over, she calls him ‘My King’. Sergius also tells her, “Dearest: all my deeds have been yours, you inspired me”. He calls Raina.” his queen”.

Shattering of Raina’s Romanticism: In Raina’s opinion, war is probably fought to win the lady’s love and in Sergius’s view too it seems romantic as a tournament, a game. Just after some moments, Sergius asks Louka what the “higher love” is and defines it himself that it is a very fatiguing thing to keep up for any length of time….. One feels the need of some relief after it.” He then seeks relief for himself in lustful embraces of Louka and in flirting with her and Raina’s attraction towards Bluntschli is exposed.

Theme Related to War: Shaw defines weapon, bravery, soldiering in his own way with humour. He narrates that Cartridge and pistol only may not be weapons unlike cloak. Bluntschli says that cavelry charge is “like slinging a handful of peas against a window pane: first, one comes: then, two or three close behind him and then all the rest in a lump”, According to Sergius soldier is brave, soldiers are slaves to their officers and everyone is fearful of death. Soldiering is “coward’s art to attack mercilessly when you are strong, and keeping out of harm’s way when you are weak.” The romanticism of war enjoyed by Sergius is broken and he says. “Oh, war, war! the dream of patriots and heroes! A fraud, Bluntschli to hollow sham, like love.”

Shaw says that bravery is not the property of exclusive persons. Louka asks Sergius if he could distinguish the bravery of rich and poor in the war. Love and war are two vital things. Poeple say that everything is fair in love and war. Shaw’s view is that flattery based love like that of Nicola alos shatters. Love based on mutual understanding and reason is everlasting and satisfying like that of Bluntschli who would win the heroine Raina and Louka who could win the favour of the person beyond her status.

All the events of the play alongwith the philosophical thought and dialogues depict that the three of the play’ Arms and the Man’ surrounds around love and war.

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