The Wonder-Working Magician
The narrative unfolds in Antioch, where Cyprian, a scholar, becomes enamored with Justina, a virtuous maiden. His obsession leads him to seek the help of a demon, who offers him magical powers in exchange for his soul. Cyprian, driven by love, agrees, believing he can win Justina's heart through sorcery. As Cyprian delves into the dark arts, he becomes increasingly consumed by his desires. The demon, however, has ulterior motives, using Cyprian's passion to further his own schemes. Justina, devoted to her faith, remains impervious to Cyprian's advances, protected by divine forces. The plot thickens as Cyprian's friends, Lelius and Florus, also vie for Justina's affection, leading to jealousy and conflict. The governor of Antioch, fearing the chaos that may ensue from their rivalry, imprisons them all, including Justina and her father, Lysander. In a climactic turn, Cyprian's magic backfires, revealing the futility of his attempts to control love through sorcery. He encounters a vision of Justina, but instead of her beauty, he sees a skeleton, symbolizing the emptiness of his pursuits. This revelation drives him to renounce the demon and seek redemption through faith. As the story progresses, the governor learns of Cyprian's madness and the chaos it brings. In a moment of divine intervention, the demon is forced to reveal the truth about Justina's purity and Cyprian's sacrifice. The narrative culminates in a dramatic confrontation where Cyprian and Justina are martyred for their faith, ultimately achieving a higher form of love and unity in death. The work explores themes of love, sacrifice, the conflict between earthly desires and spiritual integrity, and the consequences of seeking power through dark means. It serves as a cautionary tale about the perils of obsession and the redemptive power of faith.
By Pedro Calderon De La Barca · First published 1637 · Genre: Drama, Fantasy, Philosophical · 60 chapters · 34,645 words
First lines
PERSONS. CYPRIAN. THE DEMON. LELIUS, The Governor of Antioch's Son. FLORUS, friend of Lelius. MOSCON, Servant of Cyprian. CLARIN, Servant of Cyprian. THE GOVERNOR OF ANTIOCH. FABIUS, his Servant. LYSANDER, the reputed Father of Justina. JUSTINA. LIVIA, her Maid. A Servant. A Soldier. ATTENDANTS, Soldiers, People.
A WOOD NEAR ANTIOCH.
What this Textopian page supports
The Wonder-Working Magician is listed on Textopian as a play by Pedro Calderon De La Barca, dated 1637 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Play
- Author: Pedro Calderon De La Barca
- Date: 1637 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Drama, Fantasy, Philosophical, Romance, Allegory
- Length: 34,645 words
- Structure: 61 chapters, 877 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
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- Work identity for The Wonder-Working Magician by Pedro Calderon De La Barca
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- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
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Discussion starters
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Genres
- Drama — The play explores complex human emotions and moral dilemmas, characteristic of dramatic literature.
- Fantasy — The presence of magical elements and supernatural occurrences defines the fantastical aspects of the narrative.
- Philosophical — The themes of reality versus illusion and the nature of existence reflect philosophical inquiries.
- Romance — The plot includes romantic relationships that drive character motivations and conflicts.
Tags
Spanish Drama · Comedy · Fantasy · Magic Realism · Mystery · Adventure · Romance · Satire · Social Commentary · Philosophy · Existentialism · Absurdism
Contents
- SCENE I
- SCENE I
- SCENE I
- SCENE II
- SCENE II
- SCENE II
- SCENE III
- SCENE III
- SCENE III
- SCENE IV
- SCENE IV
- SCENE IV
- SCENE V
- SCENE V
- SCENE V
- SCENE VI
- SCENE VI
- SCENE VI
- SCENE VII
- SCENE VII
- SCENE VII
- SCENE VIII
- SCENE VIII
- SCENE VIII
- SCENE IX
- SCENE IX
- SCENE IX
- SCENE X
- SCENE X
- SCENE X
- SCENE XI
- SCENE XI
- SCENE XI
- SCENE XII
- SCENE XII
- SCENE XII
- SCENE XIII
- SCENE XIII
- SCENE XIII
- SCENE XIV
- SCENE XIV
- SCENE XIV
- SCENE XV
- SCENE XV
- SCENE XV
- SCENE XVI
- SCENE XVI
- SCENE XVI
- SCENE XVII
- SCENE XVII
- SCENE XVIII
- SCENE XVIII
- SCENE XIX
- SCENE XX
- SCENE XXI
- SCENE XXII
- SCENE XXIII
- SCENE XXIV
- SCENE XXV
- SCENE XXVI