The corsair; or, the little fairy at the bottom of the sea

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

76960

Title

The corsair; or, the little fairy at the bottom of the sea

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

A whimsical Victorian burlesque, this pantomime blends Byronian piracy with fairy-tale romance. Fairy Serena attempts to tame the gloomy Corsair Conrad through love, promising domestic bliss over a life of plunder. With a cast of dashing villains, comedic servants, and magical sea spirits, the story offers a lighthearted, musical journey from high-seas rebellion to respectable marriage.

Summary up to 500 words

Set against the vibrant backdrop of a theatrical burlesque, William Brough's *The Corsair; or, the Little Fairy at the Bottom of the Sea* presents a comedic tale of redemption. The story centers on Conrad the Corsair, a misanthropic pirate weary of his violent existence and the gloomy melancholy that plagues him. Initially, the ocean's fairy guardians, led by the stern Submarina, are eager to destroy Conrad for his crimes against commerce. However, their plans are halted by Serena, a benevolent fairy guardian of the deep, who proposes a radical alternative: reclaiming the pirate's heart through the magic of love. Serena descends to the shore to woo Conrad, who is currently infatuated with Medora, a slave girl held in the Pasha's bazaar. The narrative unfolds through a series of farcical scenes involving a treacherous lieutenant named Birbanto, a scheming slave merchant named Yussuf, and a Pasha caught between two rival beauties, Gulnare and Zuliema. The plot thickens with misunderstandings, a dramatic rescue, and a climactic sword fight where Conrad is forced to switch from a real weapon to a stage-combat prop, highlighting the play's blend of melodrama and farce. Ultimately, the power of love and domesticity triumphs over piracy and chaos. Conrad embraces respectability, agreeing to retire from the sea and marry Medora. In a sweeping conclusion, the story sees the total reformation of its cast: Conrad and Medora start a legitimate life; the villainous Birbanto abandons robbery to start a public company; Yussuf leaves slave trading; and the Pasha renounces polygamy to commit to Gulnare. The play celebrates the transformation of outcasts into respectable citizens, concluding with a festive tableau of marriage, business, and domestic bliss.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

Download URL

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Local file path

data/epubs/pg76960.epub

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Categories

• Drama
• Fantasy
• Humor