Henry IV (Pirandello) Lesson Plan

What is the doctor's plan to cure Henry? Do you think it will be effective? Why or why not?

The doctor plans to cure Henry by shocking him with the image of two living "Matildas": one who looks like the portrait of twenty years ago, played by Frida, and the other the older Donna Matilda dressed in a period costume. The doctor wants Frida to wear the same dress her mother did in the portrait from twenty years before and, in essence, make that portrait come to life. The doctor believes this will force Henry to see that his historical delusion is impossible. Students might argue that this is a bad idea because someone who believes the Pope has cast a curse on him could...