Community Reviews

Rating(4.1 / 5.0, 95 votes)
5 stars
39(41%)
4 stars
27(28%)
3 stars
29(31%)
2 stars
0(0%)
1 stars
0(0%)
95 reviews
July 15,2025
... Show More
Madness is bae! :P

Hamlet. Haider. Joker. Shakespeare. Pirandello. These are just some of the names that come to mind when thinking about madness in literature and film.

I have always been fascinated by madness and the way it is portrayed. It is a powerful tool that can be used to send a message, to explore the human psyche, and to break free from the constraints of society.

A mad man is free in a way that others are not. In the masquerade of human life, where everyone has more than one face, a mad man needs no mask. He can speak his mind, act on his impulses, and be true to himself, regardless of what others think.

Madness can be both beautiful and terrifying, and it is this duality that makes it so captivating. It forces us to question our own sanity, our own beliefs, and our own place in the world.

Whether it is the tragic madness of Hamlet, the political madness of Haider, or the chaotic madness of the Joker, each portrayal offers a unique perspective on this complex and often misunderstood concept.

In conclusion, madness may be seen as a curse by some, but to me, it is a source of inspiration and a reminder that sometimes, the only way to truly be free is to embrace the madness within.
July 15,2025
... Show More
The story was truly remarkable and highly creative.

The main character, who miraculously survives a terrible accident, finds himself spending the next two decades firmly believing that he is an ancient German emperor. This unique premise immediately grabs the reader's attention and keeps them engaged throughout the narrative.

Moreover, the climax of the story is equally captivating. Some completely unexpected revelations are disclosed, which not only add an element of surprise but also deepen the complexity of the plot.

These revelations force the reader to reevaluate everything they thought they knew about the main character and his supposed identity.

The story's ability to combine a fascinating premise with a thrilling climax makes it a truly enjoyable read.

It leaves the reader with a sense of satisfaction and a desire to explore more of the author's work.

Overall, this story is a shining example of creative writing at its best.
July 15,2025
... Show More

Pirandello is truly an absolute master. His "Six Characters in Search of an Author" stands as one of my all-time favorite dramas. Similarly, "Enrico IV" follows the same vein. In this play, reality and illusion are not always clearly distinguishable from each other and are contingent upon the human characters' choices to engage. He employs the very act of drama itself as the catalyst for this profound exploration, resulting in stunning effects. The story unfolds in a seamless manner, never coming across as forced or contrived. The language used is so vivid that it seems to leap off the page. There are simply too many favorite lines to list here. It is truly a fantastic piece of work that continues to captivate and inspire audiences.

July 15,2025
... Show More

Pirandello's writing style is truly unique. It gives the impression that the reader is somehow trespassing into his own private turmoil. The words on the page often seem so deeply personal and authentic that one can't help but feel as if Pirandello himself is Henry IV. The story builds up to a climax that is both intense and tragic, reaching a conclusion that is among the most powerful I've ever encountered in literature. It leaves the reader with a profound sense of awe and a lingering feeling of the emotional depth that Pirandello is able to convey. His ability to draw the reader into his world and make them experience the turmoil and tragedy along with the characters is truly remarkable. It is this aspect of his writing that makes his works so enduring and unforgettable.

July 15,2025
... Show More
Here is the rewritten and expanded article:

A truly remarkable piece: There are people who are extremely timid when it comes to living in the present with all its impermanences. Instead, they prefer to hold onto the past, which is often problematic yet somewhat understandable. They seem to find a strange sort of comfort in the familiarity of the past, even if it is filled with difficulties and challenges. It's as if they are afraid to embrace the uncertainties of the present moment. However, by constantly dwelling on the past, they may be missing out on the countless opportunities and experiences that the present has to offer. It's important for them to realize that while the past can provide valuable lessons, it's the present that holds the key to creating a fulfilling and meaningful life.

July 15,2025
... Show More

It is truly very perplexing. This matter pertains to sanity and insanity, and how the fine line that separates them can sometimes become somewhat blurry.

This work serves as a mockery of the certainty and seriousness with which people conduct themselves or view themselves in life in general.

Among all the acts, I loved the second act the best. It had a certain charm and depth that made it stand out.

The way it explored the themes of sanity and insanity in a unique and thought-provoking manner was truly captivating.

It made me question my own perception of these concepts and how we often take them for granted.

Overall, this work left a lasting impression on me and made me appreciate the complexity of the human mind and the thin line that exists between sanity and insanity.

July 15,2025
... Show More
This horrible thing, which truly drives one crazy: that if you are beside another person and look into their eyes

you can imagine yourself as a beggar in front of a door through which you will never be able to enter.

The one who enters will never be you, with your world inside, as you see and touch it; but a stranger to you, just as that other person sees and touches you in their impenetrable world.

It is a strange and almost terrifying thought that despite being so close to someone, there is an unbridgeable gap between our inner selves.

We can look into each other's eyes, but we can never fully know what lies within the other's mind and heart.

This sense of isolation and the inability to truly enter another's world can lead to feelings of frustration and even madness.

Yet, it is also a fundamental aspect of the human experience that makes us strive for connection and understanding, even though we may never fully achieve it.
July 15,2025
... Show More

Another remarkable work by the great Italian playwright Luigi Pirandello, "Henry IV" represents the pinnacle of Pirandello's works. The play, which features six characters in search of an author, revolves around the idea of the relativity of truth, much like many of Pirandello's works. It questions what the word "truth" means and our fragmented perception of things, suggesting that nothing is absolute as we live in a changing and unstable world where no truth can be taken for granted.


This idea is vividly presented in the title of the play. We are confronted with the character of Henry IV and wonder whether he is the king of France, England, or the emperor of Germany. Are we in the German or French palace? Do we live in the 11th or 16th century? These questions are posed by the new arrival, Bertoldo, to a group of Henry IV's advisers, the protagonist of the play who has gone insane after falling from his horse while playing the role of Henry IV in a tournament held twenty years ago.


The events escalate as Carlo di Nolli, the son of Henry IV's sister, brings in a doctor to cure him, on the condition that all the characters involved in the incident are present. As the events unfold, the questions about the nature of truth and what insanity truly means become increasingly complex.

July 15,2025
... Show More
You are a prosperous Italian nobleman, taking on the role of Henry IV in a historical pageant with your friends. Suddenly, a fall from your horse catapults you from the 20th century to the 11th century. There, you envision yourself as the actual Henry, still engaged in a feud with Pope Gregory VII.

For the next 20 years, your friends support your altered state by providing you with appropriate royal accommodations, complete with a throne room. They hire actors to play your courtiers and don period clothing whenever they visit.

This captivating premise enables Pirandello and, in this later remake, Stoppard, to explore themes of time and change, identity, deceit, and the elusive concept of sanity. Henry's predicament makes us realize that we all don costumes to present a certain persona and how what we consider to be an independent self can be shaped by the expectations that others impose on us.

It forces us to question the nature of our true selves and the impact of external factors on our identities. The story invites us to reflect on the thin line between reality and imagination and the power of perception in defining who we are.

July 15,2025
... Show More
I know that when I was a child, the moon in the well seemed real to me. And so many things seemed real to me! I believed in all that others told me, and I was happy! Because woe, woe if you don't hold on firmly to what seems true to you today, to what will seem true to you tomorrow, even if it is the opposite of what seemed true to you yesterday.

For us, for me, the moon is precious. I, for my part, feel the need for it, and I often lose myself in looking at it from my window. Who can believe, when looking at it, that knowing that eight hundred years have passed and that I, sitting at the window, cannot truly be Enrico IV looking at the moon, like any poor man?

It is this sense of wonder and the blurring of the boundaries between reality and imagination that make the moon such a powerful and captivating symbol. It has the ability to transport us to another time and place, to make us question our own perception of the world around us. Whether we are children or adults, the moon has the power to inspire us, to make us dream, and to remind us of the beauty and mystery that exists in the universe.
July 15,2025
... Show More
We are studying the third act at the faculty.

It is really complex and very difficult to understand. However, it expresses many ideas and philosophical concepts. For example, the true madness is to trust someone.

The themes of betrayal and the fleeting nature of time are well treated. One can understand how Enrico feels after life has passed him by, and after losing his place in the heart of the woman he loved and in society because everyone thought he was crazy.

Everything changed for him after that unlucky day.

Studying this act not only challenges our intellectual abilities but also makes us reflect on the deeper aspects of human nature and existence. It shows us how easily one can lose their way in life and how important it is to hold on to what truly matters.

Despite the difficulties in understanding, we are determined to persevere and uncover the hidden meanings and messages within this complex piece of work.
July 15,2025
... Show More
Personally, I believe that leaving you disconcerted, without making you understand anything, was one of the predominant intentions of Pirandello in writing this work, permeated by the madness of Enrico IV, who is the protagonist.

The message may seem confused, but it coincides with the themes that are so dear to Gigi: the incommunicability of being, inadequacy with the surrounding world, and the impossibility of knowing and presenting a stable version of oneself in that continuous fluid that is life.

However, I was struck by the particular narrative device chosen (after all, as in the characters in search of an author): why this strange hypothesis of making a medieval emperor who lived eight hundred years ago come back to life? This choice, however, allows for a reflection that struck me: when Enrico says that men chew over lives already lived by other men; that monologue seemed to me the moment of greatest vivid lucidity among the confused monologues of the protagonist.

Perhaps Pirandello is trying to show us that we are all, in a way, living borrowed lives, repeating the same patterns and experiences of those who came before us. This idea makes us question our own identity and the authenticity of our existence. It also makes us realize that our attempts to understand and present ourselves are often in vain, as our true selves are constantly evolving and changing.

In conclusion, while "Enrico IV" may be a difficult and confusing work, it offers profound insights into the human condition and the nature of identity. It forces us to look beyond the surface and question the very essence of who we are.
Leave a Review
You must be logged in to rate and post a review. Register an account to get started.