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For Love of the King: A Burmese Masque: Play Guide and Free Edition

For Love of the King: A Burmese Masque: author and translator credits, catalogue synopsis, subjects and links to the Gutenberg reading formats.

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AI-generated editorial illustration — not a photograph of the subject
AI-generated editorial illustration — not a photograph of the subject

For Love of the King: A Burmese Masque is catalogued by Project Gutenberg with author credits for Wilde, Oscar (1854–1900).

Catalogue synopsis

Project Gutenberg supplies this automated synopsis of the opening text:

"For Love of the King: A Burmese Masque" by Oscar Wilde is a theatrical play written in the late 19th century. The work can be categorized as a masque or pantomimic play, reflecting Wilde's characteristic lush style and fascination with Eastern aesthetics. This piece explores themes of love, duty, and the conflicts of fate, set against the vibrant backdrop of ancient Burma. The narrative follows King Meng Beng, a youthful and sensitive ruler, as he grapples with love and obligation. He becomes enamored with Shah Mah Phrun, a striking girl of Italian and Burmese descent, who seeks his protection from her adversaries. Their love story flourishes over two years, during which the couple builds a life together in the jungle. However, as Meng Beng faces the demands of his royal duty and an arranged marriage to a Ceylonese princess, their idyllic existence unravels. The climax reveals Meng Beng's struggle between his responsibilities as king and his deep love for Mah Phrun, ultimately leading to a heartbreaking resolution that speaks to the transitory and often painful nature of love and the burden of kingship.

Book and edition facts

  • Title: For Love of the King: A Burmese Masque
  • Author credits: Wilde, Oscar (1854–1900)
  • Catalogue language: English

Catalogue subjects

  • English drama -- 19th century

Gutenberg collections

  • Category: British Literature
  • Category: Plays/Films/Dramas

Read this edition

View the complete Gutenberg catalogue record. Project Gutenberg identifies this edition as public domain in the United States; that designation does not establish its copyright status in every country.

Source notes

Catalogue metadata is public domain and is supplied through Gutendex, which imports Gutenberg's machine-readable catalogue. The automated synopsis is source-supplied, not an independently verified review. Author dates above describe the credited people; no ebook release date is presented as the book's original publication date.

Sources

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