Arms and the Man

Set during the Serbo-Bulgarian war, the play explores Raina Petkoff's romanticized views of war as she navigates her feelings for her fiancé, Sergius, and the pragmatic Captain Bluntschli, a Swiss mercenary. Raina's innocence is challenged when she helps Bluntschli hide, leading her to question her ideals about heroism. As the story unfolds, she realizes Sergius is not the hero she imagined, ultimately choosing love with Bluntschli over her engagement. Shaw's comedic wit serves as a sharp critique of the glorification of war.