Life Is a Dream
Life Is a Dream, written in the 1630s by Pedro Calderón de la Barca, is among the central works of the Spanish Golden Age theater, given here in Edward FitzGerald's free English version. King Basilio of Poland, warned by the stars that his son Segismundo will become a tyrant, has kept him chained in a tower since birth. To test the prophecy, he has the prince drugged and brought to court, where he behaves violently, then returned to his prison and told it was all a dream. Calderón turns the plot into a meditation on free will, illusion and self-mastery. The full text is available to read online in your browser on Vinteuil, and the first act is free.
Start reading right away, without signing up. The complete text is included in Vinteuil Reading, or yours forever with a one-time purchase.
Frequently asked questions about Life Is a Dream
Life Is a Dream by Pedro Calderón de la Barca can be read online on Vinteuil, directly in your browser. The first chapter is free for everyone; the complete book is included in Vinteuil Reading ($4.99/month or $39.99/year) or yours forever for $2.99.
Can I read Life Is a Dream online?
Yes. Life Is a Dream opens right on this page, in a reader designed for long reading: adjustable text size, light, sepia and dark themes, a clickable table of contents and your place saved when you are signed in. No download or app is needed.
Is Life Is a Dream free to read on Vinteuil?
The first chapter of Life Is a Dream is free, without an account. To read the whole book, either buy its online reading for $2.99 (£2.99 in the UK) and keep it forever, or subscribe to Vinteuil Reading for $4.99/month (£4.99/month in the UK) or $39.99/year, with 1 month free for new subscribers. The subscription opens every book in the library and can be cancelled at any time.
Is Life Is a Dream in the public domain?
Yes. Life Is a Dream by Pedro Calderón de la Barca is a public-domain work, here in the translation by Edward FitzGerald. Vinteuil offers a carefully prepared digital edition made for comfortable reading on screen.
How long does it take to read Life Is a Dream?
About 1 h 10 min of reading, at an average reading pace. Your place is saved automatically when you are signed in, so you can read in several sittings and on several devices.
What kind of book is Life Is a Dream?
Life Is a Dream by Pedro Calderón de la Barca is filed under "Drama" in the Vinteuil library.
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