This collection of three plays offers a deep exploration of human emotions, societal norms and familial relationships. The first play, 'The Hostage', revolves around the complexities of love and sacrifice. The second play, 'Crusts', delves into the struggles of poverty and the human spirit's resilience. The final play, 'The Humiliation of the Father', portrays the dynamics of a dysfunctional family and the impact of parental behaviour on children. Each play, while distinct in their narratives, collectively provides a profound commentary on human nature and society.

"The School for Wives" is a comedic play about a man who attempts to groom a young woman to be his perfect, obedient wife. However, his plans are thwarted when the young woman falls in love with another man. The play satirizes societal norms around marriage, highlighting the absurdity of controlling relationships and the importance of love and mutual respect.

"The Island of Slaves" is a satirical play that explores themes of power, class, and social justice. After a shipwreck, a group of aristocrats find themselves stranded on an island ruled by former slaves who have overthrown their masters. The island's society is structured to reverse the roles of masters and servants, forcing the shipwrecked nobles to confront the injustices and cruelties of their old ways. Through a series of comedic and thought-provoking events, the characters grapple with their own prejudices and the concept of equality, ultimately questioning the very foundations of their societal roles and the possibility of redemption through a reversal of power.

"Tiger at the Gates" is a play that presents a pacifist perspective on the Trojan War, focusing on the character of Hector, a Trojan military leader who foresees the destruction that war with Greece will bring. Despite his efforts to avoid conflict through diplomacy and reason, he is met with ridicule and pressure from his fellow Trojans, who are eager for battle and glory. The narrative explores themes of fate, individual versus collective responsibility, and the tragic consequences of war, as Hector's attempts to maintain peace ultimately fail, leading to the inevitable fall of Troy.

"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.

"Fuente Ovejuna" is a Spanish Golden Age play that centers around the collective uprising of the inhabitants of a small village against their oppressive overlord. After enduring countless abuses, the villagers, led by a young woman named Laurencia, band together to revolt and ultimately murder the tyrannical commander. When royal authorities arrive to investigate, the villagers respond with a united front, famously declaring "Fuente Ovejuna did it," showcasing the power of communal solidarity against injustice. The play explores themes of rebellion, honor, and the strength of the collective will, and is celebrated for its portrayal of the human spirit's resistance to tyranny.

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.

"Happy Days" is a play that revolves around the life of Winnie, a middle-aged woman who is buried up to her waist in a mound of earth, with her situation worsening in the second act as she becomes buried up to her neck. Despite her predicament, Winnie maintains a sense of optimism and routine, often reminiscing about the past and engaging in one-sided conversations with her taciturn husband, Willie, who is largely invisible offstage. The play delves into themes of human resilience, the passage of time, and the search for meaning in the face of an absurd and unchanging predicament, with Winnie's relentless cheerfulness contrasted against the bleak and inexplicable situation she finds herself in.

"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.

"La Dorotea" is a prose work that combines elements of a novel and a play, offering a vivid portrayal of love and honor in 16th-century Spain. The story unfolds through a series of dialogues and letters, centering on the passionate and tumultuous relationship between Dorotea and Fernando. Their love affair, marked by societal constraints and personal betrayals, reflects the complexities of human emotions and social expectations. The narrative is rich with poetic language and explores themes of love, jealousy, and the consequences of unbridled desire, providing a critical commentary on the romantic ideals and gender dynamics of the time.

"Lost in a Mirror" is a captivating tale that delves into the complexities of love, honor, and deception. Set against the backdrop of aristocratic society, the narrative follows the journey of a noblewoman who becomes ensnared in a web of romantic entanglements and mistaken identities. As she navigates the treacherous waters of courtship and societal expectations, she must confront the challenges posed by her own desires and the manipulations of those around her. The story is a rich exploration of the themes of appearance versus reality and the lengths to which individuals will go to secure their own happiness or advantage.

"The Knight of Olmedo" is a tragic Spanish Golden Age play that tells the story of Don Alonso, a noble and chivalrous knight who falls in love with Doña Ines, a woman promised to another man, Don Rodrigo. Set against the backdrop of the town of Olmedo, the play weaves themes of love, honor, and destiny as Don Alonso's courtship is met with rivalry and treachery. Despite the warnings of his friend Tello and the omens foretelling his doom, Don Alonso's pursuit of love leads to a dramatic and fateful conclusion, showcasing the playwright's mastery of combining lyrical poetry with the stark realities of romantic tragedy.

The play is a Golden Age Spanish drama that explores themes of honor, justice, and social class. Set in a small village, the story revolves around a wealthy farmer who is appointed as the mayor and faces a moral dilemma when his daughter is dishonored by a visiting army captain. The farmer's struggle for retribution and the captain's disregard for the local populace's rights lead to a dramatic confrontation. The narrative delves into the tension between civilian and military authority, the rigid honor code of the era, and the quest for personal and communal justice, culminating in a powerful examination of the human condition and the complexities of societal roles.

"The Mighty Magician" is a captivating tale of love, deception, and the supernatural set in a mythical version of the Middle Ages. The story revolves around the powerful magician Cyprian, who falls desperately in love with the beautiful Justina. Despite his command over dark forces and his pact with the devil, Cyprian finds his spells useless against Justina's virtuous heart and Christian faith. As the drama unfolds, the magician is torn between his desire for earthly love and the realization of the higher spiritual truths that Justina embodies. The play explores themes of redemption, the conflict between good and evil, and the ultimate power of faith over magic.

The play is a tragic drama set in 17th-century Spain, revolving around the themes of honor, love, and vengeance. It tells the story of a nobleman who becomes consumed by jealousy and the desire to uphold his family honor after suspecting his wife of infidelity. His obsessive quest for revenge leads him down a dark path, resulting in a series of tragic events that challenge the societal norms and personal values of the characters involved. The narrative explores the destructive power of honor-bound duty and the moral complexities of justice, ultimately questioning the true cost of maintaining one's reputation at the expense of compassion and humanity.

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.