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Sebastian Hau

George Bernard Shaw
Man and superman : a comedy and a philosophy
Westminster: Archibald and Constable & Co., Ltd., 1903
XXXVII, 244 p., ads; 18 cm.

Man and Superman, published in 1903 and first performed in 1905, is both a brilliant romantic comedy and a philosophical exploration of human purpose. The play reinterprets the Don Juan legend, transforming it into a debate about love, freedom, and the evolutionary drive behind human behavior. The story follows John Tanner, a radical thinker and author of The Revolutionist’s Handbook, who becomes the reluctant guardian of Ann Whitefield. Though Tanner champions personal freedom and intellectual independence, he finds himself ensnared by Ann’s determination to marry him, representing the power of instinct and the “Life Force” that Shaw believed drove human progress.

The play’s most famous section, the dream sequence “Don Juan in Hell,” presents an allegorical discussion between Don Juan, the Devil, Doña Ana, and the Statue. Here Shaw introduces his concept of the “Superman,” a future ideal of humanity shaped by moral and intellectual evolution rather than brute strength. This philosophical interlude transforms the comedy into a profound meditation on the nature of existence, morality, and the creative struggle that propels civilization forward.

Man and Superman is important not only for its wit and dramatic brilliance but also because it captures Shaw’s vision of humanity’s potential for self-improvement. It challenges conventional ideas of love, marriage, and gender roles, suggesting that women, as embodiments of the Life Force, often guide evolution through their choices. The play fuses laughter with philosophy, comedy with cosmic purpose, showing that social progress and human fulfillment depend on those bold enough to defy conformity.

George Bernard Shaw (1856–1950) was an Irish playwright, critic, and social reformer whose works combined sharp wit with deep social commentary. Awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1925, he was a leading figure in modern drama: Shaw used the stage to question Victorian morality and to promote political, moral, and intellectual change. His plays remain landmarks in English literature for their lively dialogue and enduring relevance.

“The reasonable man adapts himself to the world: the foolish one persists in trying to adapt the world to himself. Therefore all progress depends on the fools.”



Pale green binding, gilt title and author's name on spine. Some stains on book covers and spine. Pages clear. Minimal shelf wear. Binding solid.


PS: I'll ship the book carefully packaged in bubble wrap, via An Post, the Irish Postal Service ("Registered Post, Tracking & Insurance included to protect your valuable items"). I will provide the tracking number once dispatched

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