Evaluate “Arms and the Man” as an Anti-Romantic Comedy.

Answer

 Evaluate “Arms and the Man” as an anti-romantic comedy. Or, how has Shaw used Bluntschli to deromanticize popular fascination with war? Or, remark on Shaw’s philosophy about love and war in the light of “Arms and the Man”.

“Arms and the Man” (1894) is an iconic creation of G. B. Shaw (1856-1950). This play cleverly uses satire to challenge romantic ideals about love, marriage, and war. Through the characters of Raina, Sergius, and Bluntschli, Shaw shows how unrealistic these ideas can be. So, “Arms and the Man” is a successful anti-romantic play. It contrasts romantic views of the world about love, marriage, and war with life’s practical side.

Satirizing War: Shaw presents war as a cruel act, not as glorious. Bluntschli, the Swiss professional soldier, opposes Raina’s romantic image of war. Raina is thrilled when she first hears about her fiancé, Sergius’s cavalry charge. Raina imagines it as a heroic act. However, Bluntschli shatters this illusion. He reveals the silliness of the charge. Sergius led a cavalry charge against heavy machine guns. This charge was foolish and only succeeded because the enemy had the wrong ammunition.

Again, Bluntschli shatters the romantic ideals of patriotism and heroism. He reveals that he is just a professional soldier. He joins Serbia because it comes first on the way from his home. He says:

“I am a Swiss, fighting merely as a professional soldier.”

Shaw uses Bluntschli to show that war is not a noble act of bravery. It is more important to stay alive. Bluntschli says to Raina,

“It is our duty to live as long as we can…”

Soldiers are not necessarily heroic. Bluntschli reveals:

“Nine soldiers out of ten are born fools.”

Satirizing Heroism: At the beginning, Sergius seems to display the romantic ideal of a hero. However, gradually, he is revealed as a ridiculous figure. Shaw mocks the idea of heroism in war through Sergius’s remark,

“Soldiering … is the coward’s art of attacking mercilessly”.

In this line, Sergius admits the reality of war: soldiers fight when they have the advantage. They avoid conflict when they are weak. Shaw exposes the hypocrisy and futility of war. He shows that it is not about courage but strategy and survival.

Satirizing Love and Marriage: In the beginning, Raina and Sergius represent the ideal of romantic love. Raina believes she is deeply in love with Sergius. She calls him her “soul’s hero.” Both act as if their love is perfect. Sergius also plays the role of the noble lover. He refers to Raina as his “queen.” Raina declares,

“I think we two have found the higher love.”

However, their love is based on unrealistic ideals rather than genuine feelings. As the play develops, it becomes clear that Raina and Sergius are pretending. Raina gradually develops a relationship with Bluntschli. She becomes attracted to his personality and practicality. On the other hand, Sergius becomes enchanted by Louka’s beauty.

Real Love in the Play: Bluntschli offers a different view of love. Romantic ideals could not influence him. He values honesty and simplicity. In contrast to Sergius, Bluntschli’s interactions with Raina are genuine and realistic. By the end of the play, Raina realizes that she feels more comfortable with Bluntschli, who loves her for who she is.

In conclusion, Shaw uses satire to expose the foolishness of romantic ideas about love, marriage, and war. Through characters like Raina, Sergius, and Bluntschli, he contrasts unrealistic ideals with the practical realities of life.