Life Is a Dream

The second act’s first scene begins with a conversation between King Vasily and Clothold, during which Clothold explains how the king’s order was “carried out” (109). From “a poison that kills” (109), Clothold has obtained a drug that “robs one in his sleep of his sense and faculties” (109), and after speaking with Sigismund about his nature lessons, he “invited him to drink from the potion” (110). Sigismund “surrendered himself to the arms of sleep” (110) just as the king’s attendants arrived to transport the prince to the king’s quarters at the palace, “which have been prepared with the majesty and grandeur worthy of his person” (110). In response to Clothold’s question regarding his intention “in bringing Sigismund to the palace in this way” (110), King Vasily explains that if Sigismund discovers“that he’s my son and find himself tomorrow reduced a second time to his prison and misery” (111), the king plans to tell him “that everything he saw was a dream” (111).

Clothold obtains permission from the king to “tell [Sigismund] everything” (111) just as Bugle arrives to announce that “[Clothold’s] willingness to help Rossaura avenge her dishonor has encouraged her to resume dressing in women’s clothes” (112), and that “she is being pampered and attended to like a queen, thanks to calling herself your niece” (112). Sigismund arrives, accompanied by servants and musicians. He is shocked by his “fine fabrics and brocades” (112), and asks the heavens to “reveal the truth for [him]” (113). Sigismund’s melancholy and confusion are obvious to the servants who attend him, and when Clothold treats him with deference, Sigismund’s bewilderment deepens. Clothold tells Sigismund that he is “the crown prince of Poland” (113) while encouraging Sigismund to “overcome the stars—because a virtuous man can do so” (113). Sigismund explodes in anger, calling Clothold “a traitor to the law, a sycophant to the king, and a savage to me” (114). Bugle and two servants get involved as Clothold exits, feeling pity for Sigismund, who is “only dreaming” (114), and Sigismund voices his appreciation of Bugle’s sense of humor. Aistulf and Stella enter, and Sigismund speaks sharply to Aistulf and acts overly familiar with Stella. When Stella refuses Sigismund’s attempt to kiss her hand, a servant warns Sigismund “not to be so forward” (116), which inspires such rage in Sigismund that Sigismund throws the servant off the balcony. King Vasily arrives in the midst of this chaos, noting that “[Sigismund’s] first deed in power is a grim murder” (117). He tells Sigismund that he “fears the grip of [his] arms” (118), and Sigismund responds by accusing the king of “den[ying] [him] [his] humanity” (118). Sigismund and his father argue, which causes the king to advise Sigismund to “act with humility and gentleness because [he] might be dreaming” (118). When Rossaura enters the scene, dressed as a woman, Sigismund is distracted by “the beauty of woman” (119), which makes him feel uneasy, “for she is a heaven unto herself and is as superior to man in beauty as heaven is to Earth” (119).

In asides to the audience, both Sigismund and Rossaura express shock at the seeing the other in this particular state; Rossaura cannot believe she has “seen this grandeur reduced to the confines of a narrow prison” (120), while Sigismund now knows that “[he’s] alive” (120) and pledges his love for Rossaura, who responds politely but unlovingly. Clothold enters just as Rossaura is making a move to leave Sigismund, and he witnesses Sigismund’s threat to Rossaura’s honor: “have no doubt I’ll throw your honor out the window just to see if I can” (121). Out of fear, Rossaura calls him a “man who […] is reckless, inhuman, cruel, presumptuous, barbaric, and tyrannical” (121) and Sigismund dismisses Bugle so he can be alone with Rossaura and “live up to [her] insults” (121); at this point, Clothold feels he must interfere, so he attempts to restrain Sigismund and the two men fight. Aistulf enters the scene and joins the conflict, just as King Vasily and Stella step in to witness the fracas. King Vasily ignores Sigismund’s demand for “revenge for the unjust manner in which [he] raised him” (123). Before leaving the scene, the king tells Sigismund that he will “return to sleep in a place, where upon awakening, you’ll believe that all has happened to you, like everything of this world, was a dream” (123).

In between flattering comments, Aistulf observes to Stella that astrologers who make “the harshest predictions” (123) are the best astrologers, as “there’s no doubt that they would always come true” (123). Stella reminds Aistulf of the woman whose portrait he wears in a locket, and Rossaura enters just in time to hear Aistulf promise to “banish the locket’s portrait from [his] breast to make way for [Stella’s] beautiful image” (124). Stella sees Rossaura and asks for her help in obtaining the locket from Aistulf before exiting the stage. In a monologue, Rossaura laments her position and debates the possible outcomes of a confrontation with Aistulf. When Aistulf enters with the locket, he immediately recognizes Rossaura, who denies that she is anyone except Astraea, Stella’s lady-in-waiting. They argue over the locket, and when Stella enters, Rossaura claims that the locket in Aistulf’s possession belongs to herself, which is why the locket bears an image that is “[a] faithful copy of the original” (128). As soon as Rossaura has possession of the locket, she leaves. Stella rejects Aistulf’s romantic overtures once and for all, calling him “a swine and a boorish suitor” (128).

Set in Sigismund’s tower prison, the act’s second scene opens with Sigismund back in his furs and chains, asleep on the floor. Clothold and Bugle enter the scene, and when Bugle comments to Clothold that it is “[b]etter never to wake up” (129), Clothold orders servants to lock Bugle up: “a Bugle that knows so many secrets must be kept locked where it can’t sound off” (129). King Vasily arrives in disguise to “see what happens with Sigismund” (129) and expresses pity for this “unfortunate prince, born under such a sad sign” (130). Sigismund talks in his sleep of his desire to “satisfy [his] vengeance” (130) and “triumph over his father” (130) until he wakes up with a jolt, surprised at his surroundings. Clothold must “carry off the charade” (130), so he encourages Sigismund to talk about his dream. Sigismund describes his dream, during which he “was the Prince of Poland” (131) and “wanted revenge on everyone” (131). King Vasily leaves as Clothold reminds Sigismund to “show more respect to he who raised you with such care” (131) and “to do what’s right” (131). Sigismund agrees, musing on the meaning of life: “[a] vain hope, a shadow, a fiction […] all life is a dream and even dreams are but dreams” (132).