I found many of parallels between Luigi Pirandello’s Henry IV and Six Characters in Search of an Author. Many of Pirandello’s main points and ideals are similar in both plays and there are even times when he makes direct references to one or the other. For example, a major theme of Henry IV is the concept of madness/craziness vs. non-madness/craziness, which is a parallel to the theme of real vs. unreal in his Six Characters in Search of an Author. Another main topic in both plays is the concept of actors playing their part.

            On page 75, Landolph has a very reflective monologue in which he compares the role of the servants to that of an actor without a role. He says, “we are just here with no one to give us content or give us a scene to act out. It’s as though…how can I put it? The form is there but the content is missing” (Pirandello 75). Landoloph’s reflection touches on the concept of imitation, acting, and the “unreal” that was so prevalent in Six Characters in Search of an Author.

            In the same monologue, Pirandello, through Landolph makes a direct reference to Six Characters in Search of an Author, and consequently brings the ideals and themes from it into Henry IV. Landolph says, “We, on the other hand, are stuck here, in costumes like these, and in this splendid court…for what? Nothing… like six puppets hanging on the wall waiting for someone to come and take them and make them move this way or that way and to make them say something” (Pirandello 75). By the end of the play the audience learns that Henry IV is in fact that someone who is going to make them move and talk. It is because of Henry IV that Di Nolli and the rest of the cast are putting on a “performance” for him. Lastly, during his outburst, Henry IV commands the servants to get on their knees, kiss the floor, and stand back up. The servants obey and Henry IV points out to them that they were “his puppets.”