【文章內容簡介】
er, who declares that it is right to do something hitherto regarded as infamous. Shaw39。s early plays, WIDOWER39。S HOUSES (1892), which criticized slum landlords, as well as several subsequent ones, were not well received. His 39。unpleasant plays39。, ideological attacks on the evils of capitalism and explorations of moral and social problems, were followed with more entertaining but as principled productions. To a professional critic (I have been one myself) theatregoing is the curse of Adam. The play is the evil he is paid to endure in the sweat of his brow。 and the sooner it is over, the better. (from 39。Preface39。 to Saint Joan) . CANDIDA was a edy about the wife of a clergyman, and what happens when a weak, young poet wants to rescue her from her dull family life. But it was not until JOHN BULL39。S OTHER ISLAND (1904) that Shaw gained in England a wider popularity with his own plays. In the Unites States and Germany Shaw39。s name was already wellknown. Between 1904 and 1907 The Royal Court Theatre staged several of his p