Topic > Theme from Love in Arms and The Man

Raina and Sergius, the young aristocratic couple in the play, seem to be very much in love. They talk and behave like characters in a heroic love story. the valiant young hero, just like a knight in a love story, dedicates his military conquests to his beloved;' dearest: all my actions were yours. You inspired me. I went through the war like a knight in Their love seems to be an ideal love. They call it "The Higher Love". Their love seems to have reached a spiritual plane of perfection, where he represents all the virile virtues and she all the feminine graces. in such a love there can be no meanness, smallness, falseness. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay However we soon see that the moment Raina turns her back, Sergio begins to flirt with Louka, Raina for her part, declares that she wishes to 'Do' or say something terrible to him' and is attracted to the stranger who took refuge in her room during the war. We realized that they are both hypocrites. Raina plays the role of a virtuous upper class lady, while Sergious plays the role of a noble hero. They do this because they have been taught to admire such role models. They fall in love with each other for the same reason. The brave and noble hero is expected to fall in love with the beautiful and virtuous woman, and vice versa: thus Sergio and Raina believed that they were destined to be together. But they are only playing a part; and since these roles are not what they really are, they are not so much in love with each other as they are in love with the idea of ​​each other. They are enamored of the outward appearance of excellence that others project, without even knowing the real person beneath the facade. Both wore an equal look that they believe will impress the world; the pressure of maintaining this personality can be quite exhausting, and they are therefore happy to shed it when they can do so safely without detection. As Sergious says, “higher love” is a very tiring thing to sustain for any length of time…. afterwards you feel the need for a bit of relief." It's the same with Raina: when Sergious is out of office, he walks "with a perceptible relaxation of manner." Raina and Sergious are so caught up in playing a role they find attractive, that they are no longer true to themselves. Shaw encourages us to be honest with ourselves instead of seeking ideas of divine perfection based on false notions. Sergious and Raina must face the fact that false ideals about love exist and they don't truly love each other. It is a Bluntschli that makes Raina understand herself and the truth, just as Louka makes Sergious' self-realization possible. When forced to examine their feelings, they discover within themselves the courage to follow their feelings instead of trying to meet social expectations..