The World We Live In (The Insect Comedy)
by Karel Capek

Name: The World We Live In (The Insect Comedy)
Brand: Karel Capek
SKU: 9780573618062
Rating: 3.66 (9 reviews)

The World We Live In (The Insect Comedy) Cover

The World We Live In (The Insect Comedy) Book Cover — The World We Live In (The Insect Comedy) Cover

Highlights

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105 minsPresent DayFlexible Cast SizeExterior SetContemporary Costumes/Street ClothesComedy

What readers are saying

Readers appreciate the clever allegory in this play, which uses anthropomorphized insects to reflect on human vices and societal issues. Many find the narrative engaging, especially the intriguing first acts, though some believe it may not have aged well. Overall, it is seen as a thought-provoking piece deserving of attention, particularly for its social critique.

Clever allegory of human societyEngaging narrative and charactersThought-provoking social commentaryFirst act is considered dullNot as impactful as other works

Synopsis

A wanderer who is something of a philosopher falls asleep after drinking in a forest.

In his dream he observes the comedy and tragedy in the lives of the insects, whose problems and affairs are like those of humankind.

The butterflies make violent love.

The beetles hoard money and live selfishly.

The ichneumon flies murder crickets and stuff their larders with food, and parasites greedily devour what others work to save.

Finally the red and yellow ants wage war to see which shall have the right to travel a particular sunlit path between two blades of grass.

Characters

Character	Gender	Age	Description
Professor A middle-aged man	—	—	A middle-aged man
Woodcutter A well-built, vigorous man of forty-five	—	—	A well-built, vigorous man of forty-five
Woman A peasant of thirty-five	—	—	A peasant of thirty-five
Commander IN-CHIEF OF YELLOW ANTS	—	—	IN-CHIEF OF YELLOW ANTS
Vargrant A shabby fellow, drunk and rather battered and woen in appearance	—	—	A shabby fellow, drunk and rather battered and woen in appearance