The King Amuses Himself

Main Ideas

• Critique of monarchy and aristocracy: Victor Hugo sharply criticizes royal power and aristocratic privileges in his play, exposing their immorality and cruelty.
• Social inequality: The play emphasizes the deep social inequality between different layers of society, especially between the king and his courtiers and common people.
• Fate and chance: The work pays significant attention to the role of fate and chance in people's lives, showing how unexpected events can drastically change their destinies.
• Moral degradation of power: Hugo depicts the moral decay and immorality of those in power, highlighting their cynicism and indifference to the suffering of others.
• Human passions and weaknesses: The author explores human passions such as love, jealousy, revenge, and pride, showing how they can lead to tragic consequences.