Venice Saved

Appearing here in English for the first time, this play explores Weil's thoughts on tragedy. A figure of affliction, a central theme in Weil's religious metaphysics, the central character offers a unique insight into Weil's broader philosophical interest in truth and justice, and provides a fresh perspective on the wider conception of tragedy itself. Depicing a plot by a group of Spanish mercenaries to sack Venice in 1618, and the action of the play shows how it fails when one conspirator, Jaffier, betrays them to the Venetian authorities. The edition includes notes on the play and introductory material on the life of Weil, the genesis of the play and Weil and the tragic, opening up an area of interest and research: the literary Weil.