Great Catherine By: Bernard Shaw (1856-1950)
Great Catherine by Bernard Shaw is a play that delves into the world of power, politics, and relationships with a comedic twist. Set in 18th-century Russia, the story revolves around the Tsarina Catherine the Great and her tumultuous relationship with her young lover, Captain Potemkin. Shaw's play brilliantly captures the essence of Catherine as a formidable leader who is witty, intelligent, and unapologetic in pursuing her desires. Her exchanges with Potemkin are filled with clever banter and sharp wit, making for an entertaining read. Shaw has a remarkable ability to blend historical accuracy with humor, creating a captivating narrative that keeps the readers engaged throughout. The characters in Great Catherine are well-developed and multi-dimensional, adding depth and complexity to the story. Catherine, in particular, is presented as a strong, independent woman who knows how to use her power to get what she wants. Potemkin, on the other hand, represents a younger generation that challenges Catherine's authority, leading to conflict and tension. What sets this play apart is Shaw's profound satirical commentary on politics and power. Through his sharp wit and intelligent humor, he delivers scathing critiques of the ruling class and exposes their follies. He cleverly uses Catherine's relationships and interactions to highlight the absurdity of power dynamics, making the readers reflect on the nature of authority and its consequences. The dialogue in Great Catherine is fast-paced and filled with memorable lines. Shaw's mastery of language shines through, showcasing his ability to balance humor, social commentary, and historical context seamlessly. His writing style is engaging and accessible, making it an enjoyable read for both theater enthusiasts and casual readers alike. While the play primarily focuses on Catherine and Potemkin's tumultuous relationship, it also touches upon various important themes such as feminism, gender roles, and the corrupting influence of power. These underlying themes add depth and substance, elevating the play beyond mere entertainment. Overall, Great Catherine is a delightful and thought-provoking play that combines historical accuracy, witty banter, and poignant social commentary. Shaw's mastery of language and his ability to blend humor and satire make this play a must-read for anyone interested in political dramas or historical fiction. It serves as a reminder that political power is often complex, filled with personal desires and struggles, and is not without its consequences. First Page: GREAT CATHERINE (WHOM GLORY STILL ADORES) By George Bernard Shaw "In Catherine's reign, whom Glory still adores" BYRON THE AUTHOR'S APOLOGY FOR GREAT CATHERINE Exception has been taken to the title of this seeming tomfoolery on the ground that the Catherine it represents is not Great Catherine, but the Catherine whose gallantries provide some of the lightest pages of modern history. Great Catherine, it is said, was the Catherine whose diplomacy, whose campaigns and conquests, whose plans of Liberal reform, whose correspondence with Grimm and Voltaire enabled her to cut such a magnificent figure in the eighteenth century. In reply, I can only confess that Catherine's diplomacy and her conquests do not interest me. It is clear to me that neither she nor the statesmen with whom she played this mischievous kind of political chess had any notion of the real history of their own times, or of the real forces that were moulding Europe. The French Revolution, which made such short work of Catherine's Voltairean principles, surprised and scandalized her as much as it surprised and scandalized any provincial governess in the French chateaux. The main difference between her and our modern Liberal Governments was that whereas she talked and wrote quite intelligently about Liberal principles before she was frightened into making such talking and writing a flogging matter, our Liberal ministers take the name of Liberalism in vain without knowing or caring enough about its meaning even to talk and scribble about it, and pass their flogging Bills, and institute their prosecutions for sedition and blasphemy and so forth, without the faintest suspicion that such proceedings need any apology from the Liberal point of view... Continue reading book >>

Great Catherine By: Bernard Shaw (1856-1950)

Great Catherine by Bernard Shaw is a play that delves into the world of power, politics, and relationships with a comedic twist. Set in 18th-century Russia, the story revolves around the Tsarina Catherine the Great and her tumultuous relationship with her young lover, Captain Potemkin.

Shaw's play brilliantly captures the essence of Catherine as a formidable leader who is witty, intelligent, and unapologetic in pursuing her desires. Her exchanges with Potemkin are filled with clever banter and sharp wit, making for an entertaining read. Shaw has a remarkable ability to blend historical accuracy with humor, creating a captivating narrative that keeps the readers engaged throughout.

The characters in Great Catherine are well-developed and multi-dimensional, adding depth and complexity to the story. Catherine, in particular, is presented as a strong, independent woman who knows how to use her power to get what she wants. Potemkin, on the other hand, represents a younger generation that challenges Catherine's authority, leading to conflict and tension.

What sets this play apart is Shaw's profound satirical commentary on politics and power. Through his sharp wit and intelligent humor, he delivers scathing critiques of the ruling class and exposes their follies. He cleverly uses Catherine's relationships and interactions to highlight the absurdity of power dynamics, making the readers reflect on the nature of authority and its consequences.

The dialogue in Great Catherine is fast-paced and filled with memorable lines. Shaw's mastery of language shines through, showcasing his ability to balance humor, social commentary, and historical context seamlessly. His writing style is engaging and accessible, making it an enjoyable read for both theater enthusiasts and casual readers alike.

While the play primarily focuses on Catherine and Potemkin's tumultuous relationship, it also touches upon various important themes such as feminism, gender roles, and the corrupting influence of power. These underlying themes add depth and substance, elevating the play beyond mere entertainment.

Overall, Great Catherine is a delightful and thought-provoking play that combines historical accuracy, witty banter, and poignant social commentary. Shaw's mastery of language and his ability to blend humor and satire make this play a must-read for anyone interested in political dramas or historical fiction. It serves as a reminder that political power is often complex, filled with personal desires and struggles, and is not without its consequences.

First Page:

GREAT CATHERINE (WHOM GLORY STILL ADORES)

By George Bernard Shaw

"In Catherine's reign, whom Glory still adores" BYRON

THE AUTHOR'S APOLOGY FOR GREAT CATHERINE

Exception has been taken to the title of this seeming tomfoolery on the ground that the Catherine it represents is not Great Catherine, but the Catherine whose gallantries provide some of the lightest pages of modern history. Great Catherine, it is said, was the Catherine whose diplomacy, whose campaigns and conquests, whose plans of Liberal reform, whose correspondence with Grimm and Voltaire enabled her to cut such a magnificent figure in the eighteenth century. In reply, I can only confess that Catherine's diplomacy and her conquests do not interest me. It is clear to me that neither she nor the statesmen with whom she played this mischievous kind of political chess had any notion of the real history of their own times, or of the real forces that were moulding Europe. The French Revolution, which made such short work of Catherine's Voltairean principles, surprised and scandalized her as much as it surprised and scandalized any provincial governess in the French chateaux.

The main difference between her and our modern Liberal Governments was that whereas she talked and wrote quite intelligently about Liberal principles before she was frightened into making such talking and writing a flogging matter, our Liberal ministers take the name of Liberalism in vain without knowing or caring enough about its meaning even to talk and scribble about it, and pass their flogging Bills, and institute their prosecutions for sedition and blasphemy and so forth, without the faintest suspicion that such proceedings need any apology from the Liberal point of view... Continue reading book >>

Genres for this book
Comedy
Literature
Play

eBook links
Wikipedia – Bernard Shaw
Wikipedia – Great Catherine

eBook Downloads
ePUB eBook • iBooks for iPhone and iPad • Nook • Sony Reader	Kindle eBook • Mobi file format for Kindle
Read eBook • Load eBook in browser	Text File eBook • Computers • Windows • Mac