By reflecting the conventions of Virgil’s poetry and distorting them, Shaw brings attention to the unrealistic ideals of the original. Shaw borrows much of the structure of the first act from the Aeneid in order to better satirize the glorification of both warriors and war. The play’s title is a reference to Virgil’s epic poem the Aeneid, which documents the heroic travels and adventures of Aeneas. What older work does the title Arms and the Man reference? Why is this allusion made? Regardless of any social limits they may face, women in Arms and the Man wield informal power and shape the events of the play. Multiple times throughout the play, women are shown to be powerful: Raina and Louka using their wit to control the men around them Catherine shepherding the bumbling Petkoff through life Louka successfully pushing Sergius into marrying her. Yet Shaw makes Sergius and Major Petkoff just as - if not more - ridiculous. Both Raina and Catherine are often presented as frivolous or foolish, particularly when exhibiting class pretentions. The play’s portrayal of women is complex.
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