Candida is a play by George Bernard Shaw, first performed in 1894. It is a comedy-drama that explores themes of love, marriage, gender roles, and idealism versus reality. The play subverts traditional romantic tropes by presenting a love triangle where the expected outcome is cleverly reversed.
The play takes place in the home of Reverend James Morell, a popular and respected Christian Socialist minister in London. He is deeply devoted to his wife, Candida, and believes their marriage is perfect. However, their world is disrupted by the arrival of Eugene Marchbanks, an idealistic young poet who is in love with Candida.
- Morell is a strong, charismatic speaker and a confident husband.
- Candida, his intelligent and graceful wife, seems perfectly content.
- Eugene Marchbanks, a sensitive and emotional young poet, declares that Morell does not truly understand or deserve Candida.
Morell dismisses Eugene’s affections as childish infatuation, but Candida remains amused and intrigued by the young poet’s passion.
Eugene confronts Morell, arguing that Candida is trapped in a dull, predictable marriage and should be with someone who truly worships her—namely, Eugene himself.
Morell, shaken by this challenge, begins to doubt whether Candida loves him as deeply as he has always assumed.
Candida is forced to choose between her husband Morell and the young poet Eugene. However, rather than selecting one over the other in a romantic way, she makes an unexpected declaration:
She chooses Morell—not because he is strong, but because he is the weaker of the two men and needs her more.
This twist reverses the expected gender dynamic: instead of Candida being the one who needs a strong protector, she is the powerful figure who holds both men emotionally in her hands.
Candida challenges Victorian ideals of passive, submissive wives. She is clever, witty, and in control—able to see through both men’s illusions. Unlike the typical love triangle, she does not belong to either man; instead, they both belong to her in different ways.
When Candida was first performed, audiences were surprised by the ending. Many expected a dramatic, passionate choice, but Shaw’s satirical and feminist approach turned the love triangle on its head. The play remains one of Shaw’s most celebrated works, influencing later portrayals of independent female characters.
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