Androcles and the Lion is a play by George Bernard Shaw, first performed in 1912. It is a retelling of the ancient fable of Androcles, a slave who is saved from death by a lion after removing a thorn from its paw. The play follows Androcles as he escapes from his Roman captors and finds refuge in a cave, where he meets the lion. After removing the thorn, the lion becomes Androcles' companion and protector. The two then travel together, encountering various characters along the way, including a Christian hermit, a Roman captain, and a group of Christian martyrs. The play is a comedy, but it also contains serious themes, such as the power of friendship, the importance of faith, and the dangers of religious persecution. In the end, Androcles and the lion are reunited and the play ends with a message of hope and redemption.
By George Bernard Shaw · First published 1912 · Genre: Comedy, Drama, Classical Literature · 3 chapters