An opera with an interesting theme - the representation of oneself, the relationship between reality and fiction, and so on - unfortunately not explored in depth as much as it could have been.
Henry IV is sketched in a way that gives the impression of a slight madness, but in the second part one also perceives its poignant lucidity.
In general, the dialogues are quite lively: the most stimulating parts are the exchanges between the protagonist and the counselors, while other conversations are less brilliant and more confused.
Probably it is more effective when seen on stage than when read. However, I think it has many unexpressed potentialities.
Pirandello was an enigmatic and idiosyncratic figure when it came to creating personality narrations. His works in theatrical post-modern genres are not only captivating but also often confounding. Henry IV is a fascinating masquerade that tells the story of an actor/protagonist who goes insane after being knocked off his horse. The actor then wanders in a deluded world, embodying the persona of Henry IV for over twelve years. He chooses to live in his castle with his private counselors, much like the real Henry IV of Germany. The entire play revolves around other characters trying to unmask his assumed identity and reveal the truth behind the calamity.
Who are we? Why are we afraid of madmen? These questions are central to Pirandello's idea of existential artistry. Henry IV claims that he is not mad and questions why the world fears "madmen." Pirandello asserts that madness speaks the truth and exposes the authenticity that a conscious mind hides behind the façade of society. I'm not sure how genuine the actor playing Henry IV is in his actions, but I do agree with Pirandello. As rational beings, we carefully plan our actions and monitor our words to avoid inadvertent buffoonery. For example, people often call me a crazy bitch when my foul mouth gets the better of my manners. But am I really a mad woman, or is it just that my polite mask slips at the wrong moment?
The book was initially quite puzzling until I understood the underlying dramatics. Pirandello's previous work, Six Characters in Search of an Author and Other Plays, explored similar themes of illusionary realism in theatre but later contradicted the idea of the immutability of characters. Here, he tries to convey to the audience that stage "reality" can be more authentic in the real world. In contrast, in 'Six Characters...' he discussed the illusion of emotive reality, as its validity is corrupted by repetitive rehearsals. Nevertheless, both works confront the essence of reality, burdened by metaphorical chimeras, and give madness a therapeutic meaning.
E' davvero difficile commentare un testo teatrale che si presta a molte riflessioni. Pirandello riesce, con un colpo di penna (e probabilmente qualche bravo attore) a stravolgere i punti di vista. Entriamo nella storia pian piano, in punta di piedi e creiamo la nostra opinione, che viene immediatamente e inaspettatamente stravolta nell'atto successivo.
Non essendo una grande estimatrice dei testi teatrali dei quali, lo ammetto, preferisco vedere la rappresentazione, ritengo però che le opere di Pirandello debbano essere necessariamente lette. His works have a unique charm and depth that can only be fully appreciated through reading. The way he constructs his stories, the complex characters he creates, and the thought-provoking themes he explores all make his plays a must-read for anyone interested in theater or literature.
Moreover, reading Pirandello's works allows us to better understand his creative process and the ideas that inspired him. It gives us a glimpse into his mind and helps us to see the world from his perspective. So, even if you're not a big fan of reading plays, I would highly recommend giving Pirandello's works a try. You might be surprised at how much you enjoy them.