Arms and the Man Lesson Plan

How does Sergius want to be perceived? Contrast with how others perceive him.

The play’s audience would have recognized a familiar character type in Sergius: the Romantic (or Byronic) hero. The playwright even tells us as much in the stage directions before Sergius’ first introduction! Sergius wants desperately to be seen as a Romantic hero, charging into battle selflessly to victory, spurred by the thought of his chaste beloved. But Sergius’s circumstances just aren’t lining up with the narrative he and Raina have in mind. Sergius’ ‘heroism’ in battle is seen as foolhardy, reckless, and likely to get his fellow soldiers killed. Though Sergius’ actions did lead to a...