The Life of Insects

THE LIFE OF INSECTS or THE INSECT PLAY

Comedy in Three Acts with
Prelude and Epilogue
by
Josef and Karel Capek

Published in 1923, this play is a remarkable allegory which examines the oddities and emotions of mankind. The brothers Capek use a vagrants immersion into a dream world of insects to investigate the socio-political structure of our world. The play examines four major themes:

• Love - presented in Act I The Butterflies.
• Relationships and priorities - presented in Act II The Marauders.
• War - right out of the Iliad or War and Peace, The Ants of Act III present an interesting historical perspective, as this play was written between the world wars.
• Life and Death - A Chrysalis enters the play in Act II. It represents unborn potential, shortlived life and beauty. In the epilogue, it is born, amongst spinning moths rejoicing in their spiraling lives, only to die.

The insects wear human clothing. The butterflies have drawing room attire, the Marauders are dressed as citizens, the Ants are dressed in black or yellow close fitting workman garb with belts, the Moths are in gauze veils. The insect characteristics are expressed chiefly by pantomime.