These days, it seems that everything we encounter poses us
             with a question; however, there is no more important question to
             be answered than Life -- what is it? Is it merely the days we
             spend here on Earth, or is there some larger life that we all
             aspire to? Though none of us can answer these questions, we
             continue to plague ourselves with questions such as: What is it
             to be alive? As humans are we subject to a predetermined fate,
             or do we have free will, or is there really some combination
             between the two? Life's A Dream takes these age old questions
             and gives us answers; answers that are meant to serve as a lesson
             for each of us in how we should live our lives.
             Basilio believes the prophecy of the stars to be the fate
             for his son Sigismund; thus, he locks Sigismund in a dungeon
             depriving him of two very important tenants that are essential to
             growth as a human being, social interaction and love. On a
             somewhat selfish whim, Basilio releases Sigismund in hope of
             defying this destiny; however, he quickly sees that Sigismund's
             behavior seems to be fulfilling the prophecy that has already
             been laid out by the stars. Basilio decides to re-imprison
             Sigismund, forcing his only son back into a dungeon to believe
             that his single day of real freedom was only a dream. His
             decision is an attempt to keep his kingdom peaceful, but his plan
             backfires when the citizens of his country rise against him to
             fight for Sigismund, the rightful heir to the throne, to assume
             his duty as their king. Sigismund, disoriented and in a state of
             suspended disbelief after awakening from a drug-induced sleep, is
             freed by the citizens and goes after his crown and revenge upon
             his father stating, "I am as my stars make me" (III, I, 162).
             The reader, or audience, assumes that fate is at work and the
             prophecy will come true; however, Pedro Calderon de la Barca
             subtly foreshadows ...