Man and Superman (Annotated)

This edition includes the editor's reflection on Philosophical themes addressed in Shaw's "Man and the Superman"

“Man and Superman” is a four-act drama written by George Bernard Shaw in 1903. The drama was written in response to a call for Shaw to write a play based on the Don Juan theme. Although “Man and Superman” can be performed as a light comedy of manners Shaw intended the drama to be something much deeper, as suggested by the title. This title comes from Friedrich Nietzsche's philosophical ideas about the "Übermensch" ("Superman").

“Man and Superman” centres on John Tanner, a confirmed bachelor despite the pursuits of Ann Whitefield and her persistent efforts to make him marry her. Ann is referred to as "The Life Force" and represents Shaw's view that in every culture, it is the women who force the men to marry them rather than the men that take the initiative.