Original Plays [First Series]

"Original Plays [First Series]" by W. S. Gilbert is a collection of theatrical works written in the late 19th century. This volume features several plays, including "The Wicked World," which introduces a whimsical exploration of love, morality, and the contrasting lives of fairies and mortals. The characters are engaging, with fairies contemplating the nature of the human world and its seemingly wicked ways while grappling with their own ideas of righteousness. The opening of "The Wicked World" presents a group of fairies in a fantastical setting, discussing their perception of the human realm as wicked and sinful. Among them, Zayda expresses her curiosity about this 'wicked world,' while Selene, the Fairy Queen, suggests that the fairies might benefit from experiencing humanity firsthand. Their conversation reveals their naivety and highlights the fairies' disdain for human flaws such as vanity and jealousy. They decide to summon their mortal counterparts to their fairy land to teach them about a life devoid of sin, setting the stage for a comedic exploration of both the virtues and vices of love.