Aglavaine and Selysette

9781417933440

1417933445

1911. Maeterlinck, the Belgian poet, dramatist, essayist and winner of the 1911 Nobel Prize in Literature, whose literary career began with the publication of two volumes of poetry. Lack of action, fatalism, mysticism, and the constant presence of death characterize the works of Maeterlinck. The shadow of death looms even larger in his later plays. The most inspired of Maeterlinck's dramas is unquestionably Aglavaine and Selysette. Meleandre, who has married the sweet, timid Selysette, begins to love the noble Aglavaine, a love Aglavaine returns. Selysette, a tender creature, full of abnegation, resolves to sacrifice herself for the happiness of her husband and Aglavaine. She leans out of an old turret, falls, not into the sea, but onto the sand of the beach and is wounded. Even on the verge of death she is unselfish; wishing to spare them remorse, she tries to pretend to Meleandre and Aglavaine that her fall from the tower was accidental. In this drama all of the characters are noble and generous. The play ranks among the most beautiful poetic creations of the century. See other titles by this author available from Kessinger Publishing.