Ibong Adarna: A Play in Three Acts
Characters:
* Don Juan: The eldest prince, brave and ambitious.
* Don Pedro: The middle prince, kind and gentle.
* Don Diego: The youngest prince, cowardly and lazy.
* King Fernando: The ailing king, desperate to find a cure.
* Queen Valeriana: The queen, compassionate and worried for her husband.
* The Ibong Adarna: A magical bird whose song has healing powers.
* The Serpent: A powerful guardian of the Ibong Adarna's cave.
* The Ermitaño: A hermit who guides the princes.
* The Magico: A sorcerer who helps the princes.
* The Witch: A wicked sorceress who wants to harm the princes.
* The Princess Leonora: A beautiful princess who falls in love with Don Juan.
* The Duke of Berbanya: Leonora's father, a proud and demanding ruler.
* Various Villagers, Guards, and Animals
Setting:
* Act 1: The royal palace in the Kingdom of Berbanya.
* Act 2: The enchanted forest and the Ibong Adarna's cave.
* Act 3: The royal palace in Berbanya and the enchanted forest.
Synopsis:
King Fernando is dying and only the song of the mythical Ibong Adarna can cure him. His three sons, Don Juan, Don Pedro, and Don Diego, set out on a quest to find the bird. Don Juan, driven by ambition, tries to capture the bird himself but fails. Don Pedro, with his kindness and gentleness, earns the bird's trust and brings its song to the palace. However, Don Diego, consumed by greed and jealousy, betrays his brothers and attempts to claim the bird for himself. The play explores themes of courage, kindness, loyalty, and the dangers of greed.
Act 1: The Search for the Adarna
Scene 1: The royal palace. King Fernando is gravely ill. Queen Valeriana laments his condition.
King Fernando: My dear Valeriana, my time is near... I fear I shall not see my sons return with the Adarna...
Queen Valeriana: My love, have faith! The princes will surely find the bird and its healing song.
Don Juan: (Enters with a determined look) Father, I shall find the Adarna! I will not rest until I have brought its song to your ears!
Don Pedro: (Enters with a gentle smile) Brother, we will all find the bird together.
Don Diego: (Enters with a lazy smirk) What's the rush? Surely the Adarna will be waiting for us.
The king sends his sons on their quest. Don Juan is impatient and sets out alone, but he encounters the Serpent and is forced to retreat. Don Pedro, guided by the Ermitaño, shows kindness and compassion, earning the Ermitaño's trust and receiving a magical potion that can help him find the Adarna.
Scene 2: The enchanted forest. Don Pedro encounters the Witch, who tries to trick him.
Witch: (Disguised as a beautiful maiden) Lost, young prince? Let me guide you to the Adarna's cave.
Don Pedro: I appreciate your offer, but I must find my way alone.
Witch: (Revealing her true form) Foolish boy! You shall not escape my grasp!
Don Pedro uses the Ermitaño's potion to escape the Witch. He then finds the Ibong Adarna's cave and, with the help of the Magico, captures the bird without harming it.
Act 2: The Bird's Song
Scene 1: The royal palace. Don Pedro returns with the Ibong Adarna, its beautiful song filling the court. King Fernando is rejuvenated.
King Fernando: (With renewed vigor) My son, you have saved my life! I owe you my eternal gratitude.
Don Diego: (Envious) How did he capture the bird? I will find it and bring it to the palace myself!
Don Diego, driven by jealousy, sets out again, using the knowledge Don Pedro shared. However, his greed blinds him, and he fails to capture the bird. He even attempts to steal the bird from Don Pedro but is thwarted by the Serpent.
Scene 2: The enchanted forest. The Witch confronts Don Diego, angry at his failure to capture the Adarna.
Witch: You incompetent fool! You were supposed to bring me the bird! Now, I will take it myself!
Don Diego: I tried, but the bird is too clever for me.
Witch: Then, you are useless to me. Be gone!
The Witch tries to capture the Adarna herself but is foiled by the Magico, who protects the bird. She flees in anger.
Act 3: The Trials and Triumphs
Scene 1: The royal palace. King Fernando, grateful for Don Pedro's bravery, promises to marry him to Princess Leonora.
Don Juan: (Furious) This is unfair! I was the first to find the Adarna. I should be the one to marry the princess!
Don Pedro: Brother, I did not seek the hand of Princess Leonora. It was my father's decision.
Don Diego: (Whispering to Don Juan) Don't worry, brother. I have a plan...
Don Diego, secretly plotting revenge, reveals his plan to the Witch. He will help her capture the Adarna in exchange for her help in claiming the throne.
Scene 2: The enchanted forest. Don Diego, with the Witch's help, lays a trap for the Adarna.
Don Juan: (Witnessing Don Diego's treachery) Don Diego! How could you betray your own brother?
Don Diego: You wouldn't understand. I want what is rightfully mine!
Don Juan fights to protect the Adarna, while Don Pedro intervenes to stop the Witch from capturing the bird. Don Diego, seeing that his plan has failed, attempts to flee but is captured by the Serpent.
Scene 3: The royal palace. King Fernando, heartbroken by Don Diego's betrayal, banishes him from the kingdom.
King Fernando: You have shown yourself to be unworthy of our blood. You shall never return to this kingdom.
Don Juan, humbled by his actions, apologizes to Don Pedro and accepts his father's decision to marry Leonora. Don Pedro, with his kindness and humility, is rewarded with the love of Leonora and the respect of his brothers.
Finale:
The play ends with King Fernando and his sons united, their kingdom safe and prosperous, and the Ibong Adarna singing its beautiful song, a symbol of hope and healing.
Themes:
* Courage and Kindness: Don Pedro's bravery and kindness are rewarded, while Don Juan's ambition and Don Diego's greed lead them astray.
* Loyalty and Betrayal: Don Diego's betrayal highlights the importance of loyalty and the consequences of greed.
* The Power of Song: The Ibong Adarna's song symbolizes healing and hope.
* The Search for Redemption: Don Juan and Don Diego, despite their mistakes, find a path to redemption through humility and understanding.
Note:
This is a simplified script and can be expanded upon with dialogue, stage directions, and other details to create a full theatrical production.