"The Balcony" is a play set within a brothel that doubles as a fantasy realm for its clients, who act out their grandiose illusions of power as figures like a bishop, a judge, and a general. As a revolution rages in the streets outside, the establishment's madam and her patrons grapple with the nature of authority and reality, blurring the lines between the authentic and the performative. The play delves into themes of identity, societal roles, and the corrupting influence of power, offering a dark, existential critique of the structures that uphold the facade of societal order and the human desire to escape into illusion.

The play is a tragic drama set in the aftermath of the Trojan War, focusing on the fate of Andromache, the widow of the Trojan hero Hector, who is now a captive of Pyrrhus, the son of Achilles. Pyrrhus is torn between his obsessive love for Andromache, who remains faithful to the memory of her slain husband, and his betrothal to Hermione, the daughter of the Spartan king Menelaus. The play explores themes of love, duty, and vengeance as Andromache struggles to protect her son, the last heir of the Trojan line, amidst the dangerous political machinations of the Greek victors, leading to a series of tragic events fueled by jealousy, pride, and the inescapable grip of fate.

"The Chairs" is a tragic farce that delves into the themes of existentialism and the absurdity of human existence. The play unfolds as an elderly couple prepares a room full of chairs for a gathering of invisible guests. They are eagerly anticipating the arrival of an orator who will deliver a message of great importance, believed to be the culmination of their life's work. As the room fills with more and more chairs for guests that never appear, the play reaches a climax with the orator's arrival, only to reveal the futility of their expectations and the inherent emptiness of communication. The couple's desperate need for validation and their ultimate failure to convey meaning reflect the human condition's search for purpose in a senseless world.

"La Dispute" is a French play that explores the nature of love and fidelity through an 18th-century social experiment orchestrated by a prince and his court. The experiment involves raising four children — two boys and two girls — in isolation from the world and each other until adolescence, after which they are introduced to one another for the first time to determine whether infidelity is an innate human trait. The play unfolds as a comedy of manners, with the characters falling in and out of love while the observers debate and analyze their behaviors, ultimately leaving the audience to ponder the complexities of human relationships and the eternal question of whether infidelity is a product of nature or nurture.

The play reimagines the classic myth of Orpheus through the perspective of his wife, Eurydice, a young actress who dies tragically in a car accident. In the afterlife, she is reunited with her father, and they share a bittersweet existence in the underworld. Orpheus, unable to accept her death, descends to bring her back to life, but with the condition that he must not look at her until they reach the upper world. The play explores themes of love, loss, and the choice between a perfect memory and imperfect reality, ultimately questioning whether true happiness can be found in the refusal to accept the impermanence of life.

The book in question is a classic French Renaissance tragedy that delves into the complex and tumultuous life of a renowned Roman general and politician. Set against the backdrop of the Roman Empire's decline, the narrative explores themes of love, power, betrayal, and the tragic consequences of human flaws. The protagonist's story is one of a passionate and ill-fated love affair with a foreign queen, political strife, and the ultimate downfall of a once-great leader. Through poetic language and dramatic scenes, the play examines the intricate interplay between personal desires and the harsh realities of political life, leading to a catastrophic end that reflects on the nature of fate and the inescapable flaws of humanity.

"Juives" is a tragic play set in ancient Babylon that explores themes of power, faith, and suffering. The narrative centers around the plight of the Jewish people under the tyrannical rule of Nebuchadnezzar, who has destroyed Jerusalem and taken the Jews captive. The play focuses on the characters of Zedekiah, the last king of Judah, who is tortured and blinded, and his children, who are also victims of Nebuchadnezzar's cruelty. Through poetic dialogue and dramatic interactions, the play delves into the struggles of the Jewish captives as they maintain their faith and identity in the face of despair and oppression, ultimately providing a commentary on the resilience of the human spirit.

The play is a tragic drama set in ancient Armenia, revolving around its titular character, a Christian convert who defies the Roman Empire's pagan religious edicts. Polyeucte's newfound faith leads to a cascade of consequences, as he destroys pagan temples, which not only angers the authorities but also strains his marriage to Pauline, who is still a pagan. His actions set off a complex interplay of duty, faith, and love, as characters grapple with their beliefs and loyalties. Ultimately, Polyeucte's steadfastness in his faith leads to his martyrdom, while his sacrifice and the strength of his convictions inspire others, including Pauline, to embrace Christianity, highlighting themes of religious conviction, sacrifice, and redemption.

"Nicomède" is a classic French tragicomedy that revolves around the political and emotional turmoil within the royal court of Bithynia, an ancient region in Asia Minor. The play centers on the titular character, a noble and valiant prince who finds himself caught in a web of court intrigue and familial strife. As the legitimate heir to the throne, Nicomède must navigate the treacherous waters of loyalty and ambition, while contending with the favoritism shown by his father, King Prusias, towards his younger half-brother. The drama unfolds against a backdrop of shifting alliances, romantic entanglements, and the looming threat of Roman intervention, culminating in a test of virtue and the true nature of sovereignty.

The play "Horace" is a classic French tragedy that revolves around the conflict between Rome and Alba Longa, which is to be decided by a combat between two sets of triplets: the Roman Horatii and the Alban Curiatii. The central character, Horace, is a Roman warrior who, in his patriotic fervor, faces a profound moral dilemma when his sister Camilla is betrothed to one of the Curiatii brothers. The drama intensifies when, after a victorious but tragic battle, Horace kills his sister in a fit of rage for mourning the enemy's death over Rome's victory. This act of fratricide leads to a trial where Horace must defend his actions before the state and his family, raising questions about duty, honor, and the price of allegiance to one's country.

"Cinna" is a classic French tragedy set in ancient Rome, focusing on themes of clemency and tyranny. The play revolves around the titular character, a nobleman involved in a conspiracy to assassinate Emperor Augustus. As the plot unfolds, the conspirators grapple with their moral dilemmas and the consequences of their actions. The emperor, upon discovering the plot, faces his own internal struggle between his desire for justice and the virtue of forgiveness. The narrative explores the complexities of power, loyalty, and the human capacity for mercy, culminating in a surprising act of leniency that challenges the traditional expectations of retribution in tragedy.

"Rodogune" is a classic French tragedy that revolves around the intense political and familial conflicts within the Seleucid Empire. The story unfolds with the queen mother, Cleopatra, who, in her quest for power, pits her twin sons against each other, offering her hand in marriage to whichever son secures the throne. The titular character, Rodogune, a Parthian princess and the love interest of both princes, becomes the pawn in this deadly game of thrones. As the brothers grapple with their love for Rodogune and their desire for power, the play explores themes of ambition, loyalty, and the tragic consequences of a mother's manipulative schemes.

The play is a satirical comedy that delves into the pretensions and affectations of intellectualism and pedantry among the bourgeois class. It centers around the conflict within a family over the value of genuine learning and the superficial appearance of being cultured. The plot revolves around two young lovers whose marriage is opposed by the mother, who is under the influence of a pseudo-intellectual poet. The mother wishes her daughter to marry this pedantic man instead, valuing his ostentatious display of knowledge over genuine wisdom and love. The play mocks the absurdities of academic snobbery and the misplaced priorities of those who value the appearance of intelligence over true understanding and happiness.

"School for Husbands" is a comedic play that delves into the themes of love, marriage, and the contrasting approaches to spousal control. The narrative centers around two brothers with opposing views on how to treat their respective wards, whom they intend to marry. The older brother advocates for strictness and authority, keeping a tight rein on his young ward, while the younger brother espouses freedom and trust in his own. As the story unfolds, the characters engage in a series of humorous and revealing situations that challenge their beliefs about relationships and ultimately lead to a conclusion that favors liberality over rigidity, suggesting that love cannot be forced or controlled, but rather should be nurtured with understanding and freedom.

The play is a satirical comedy that pokes fun at the pretentiousness and affectations of the intellectual and social elite of the time. It centers around two young men who, in their pursuit of love, find themselves entangled with a group of affected women who are obsessed with the finer points of literary and social etiquette. The men must navigate through the absurdities of these self-proclaimed "precieuses" (precious ones), whose ludicrous behavior and exaggerated mannerisms are both mocked and exposed as ridiculous. The work is a humorous critique of the artificialities of certain social circles and the lengths to which people will go to appear more sophisticated than they truly are.

The play is a tragic depiction of the struggle for power in ancient Rome, focusing on the young emperor Nero's rise to tyranny. It portrays Nero's manipulation and betrayal as he seeks to consolidate his rule, eliminating any threats to his authority. The drama unfolds around his toxic relationship with his mother Agrippina, his ruthless disposal of his stepbrother Britannicus, who is the rightful heir to the throne, and his obsessive love for Britannicus's betrothed, Junia. The narrative is a classic example of political intrigue, moral decay, and the destructive nature of absolute power, highlighting the psychological complexity and emotional turmoil of its characters as they navigate a dangerous and duplicitous court.

"Athaliah" is a classic French tragedy that revolves around the eponymous character, a queen who has seized the throne of Judah and is determined to eradicate the Davidic line to secure her power. The play explores themes of tyranny, faith, and divine justice, as Athaliah's reign of terror is challenged by the discovery of a surviving heir, the young Joash, who has been secretly raised in the temple by the high priest Jehoiada. As the plot unfolds, the characters navigate a tense and dangerous political landscape, leading to a dramatic confrontation between the forces of despotism and righteousness, ultimately culminating in a resolution that reinforces the providential order.

"Four Plays" is a collection of dramatic works that delve into the complexities of human nature and the paradoxes of reality through a blend of fantasy and sophisticated wit. The plays often explore themes such as the corrupting influence of power, the conflict between the sexes, and the struggle between individual desires and societal expectations. With a unique blend of poetic dialogue and allegorical storytelling, the playwright scrutinizes the follies of civilization and the absurdities of human behavior, all while maintaining a sense of humor and a touch of the surreal. Each play within the collection stands as a testament to the author's skill in blending the whimsical with the profound, creating works that are both thought-provoking and entertaining.

"Selected Works" by Alfred Jarry is a compilation of the most significant writings from a French author known for his pioneering work in the Absurdist and Surrealist movements. The collection showcases a range of Jarry's literary output, including plays, essays, and novels, with his most famous character, Père Ubu, often taking center stage. Jarry's work is characterized by its satirical edge, inventive language, and the subversion of traditional literary forms. His influence extends beyond literature into the realms of theatre and the visual arts, where his ideas have continued to resonate with avant-garde movements throughout the 20th century and beyond.

"The Infernal Machine and Other Works" is a collection that showcases the literary prowess of its French author, featuring a diverse array of plays, poems, and essays. The centerpiece of the compilation is a reimagined version of a classic Greek tragedy, retold with a modernist twist that delves into the psychological complexities of its characters. The author's unique voice and avant-garde approach breathe new life into timeless themes, exploring the interplay between fate and free will, the nature of love and obsession, and the enduring power of myth. The additional works included in the volume further demonstrate the author's versatility and his contributions to the surrealist movement, cementing his status as a multifaceted artist of the 20th century.

The play revolves around the transformation of its main character, a man of Saxon origin who rises to become the Chancellor of England and a close friend to the King. However, when he is appointed Archbishop of Canterbury, he undergoes a profound change, embracing his role with a newfound religious zeal that puts him at odds with the King's authority. The play explores themes of friendship, loyalty, and the conflict between church and state, culminating in a dramatic clash that leads to the main character's martyrdom. His journey from a pleasure-loving courtier to a principled man of faith challenges both his own identity and the power structures of his time.

"The Rehearl" is a play that delves into the complex interplay between reality and performance, set against the backdrop of a 17th-century French court. The narrative revolves around a group of actors who are rehearsing a play about the love affair between the Count and the Countess. As the actors immerse themselves in their roles, the boundaries between their real lives and the characters they portray begin to blur. The Countess's own brother, who is directing the play, manipulates the situation, leading to a dramatic intertwining of life and art that questions the nature of truth and illusion. The play explores themes of love, power, and the artifice inherent in both theater and life itself.

"The Lesson" is a darkly comedic one-act play that explores themes of power, absurdity, and education. It revolves around a Professor who tutors a young, enthusiastic Pupil in preparation for a totalizing examination. As the lesson progresses, the initially benign academic session descends into a surreal and oppressive ordeal. The Professor's pedantic instruction becomes increasingly authoritarian and nonsensical, leading to a climax that exposes the dangers of indoctrination and the grotesque potential of authority figures to abuse their power. The play is a poignant critique of totalitarian systems and the absurdities inherent in dogmatic approaches to knowledge and learning.

The play revolves around the bizarre situation of a couple living with the growing corpse of the husband's friend, Amédée, in their apartment. As the body inexplicably continues to expand, it causes increasing inconvenience and absurdity in their lives. The husband, a failed playwright, and his wife struggle with their mundane existence, their inability to dispose of the corpse, and the surreal events that unfold. The narrative explores themes of stagnation, guilt, and the absurdity of life, as the couple's surreal predicament serves as a metaphor for the inescapable, often grotesque, complexities of the human condition.

"Victims of Duty" is a play that delves into the absurdity of the human condition through a surreal and satirical narrative. The story revolves around a couple whose quiet evening is interrupted by the arrival of a detective, who is on a quest to find the protagonist's predecessor in their apartment. As the detective pressures the protagonist to recall past events, the play descends into a chaotic and nonsensical investigation, blending reality with illusion. The work critiques societal obligations and the search for meaning, ultimately questioning the nature of truth and the role of individuals within the constructs of duty and authority.