Arms And The Man

Arms and the Man is one of George Bernard Shaw's most glittering comedies that takes place during the 1885 Serbo- Bulgarian War. Raina Petkoff is a young Bulgarian woman engaged to the gallant and chivalrous Sergius Saranoff, hero of the recent Bulgarian victtoorryy over the Serbs. Raina idolizes Sergius, but is, however, distracted by the abrupt arrival of 'Captain Bluntschli, a Swiss mercenary who fought for the Serbian army. He takes refuge in her bedroom after the battle and although he is initially threatening, reveals that he carries chocolates instead of bullets. As the Petkoff family, their servants, and the soldier himself scramble to keep their secrets and preserve their ideals, they are forced to question their romantic notions about war, love, social class, and themselves. The play ends with Raina renouncing her idyllic love for her fiance and proclaiming her love for Bluntschli, her chocolate-cream soldier.