Essay Questions

Describe marriage in the drama.

Marriage is a very important aspect of the society depicted in the drama. The marriages of Vasavadatta and Udayana and that of Udayana and Padmavatti are the key marriages in the drama. Various aspects of marriage such as the desirable characteristics of a partner, the relationship between the families of the married couple and importance of marriage are discussed.

In the society that is the context of the drama, marriage was very important and it had to happen for various reasons. These reasons are to bring happiness to the couple, to raise the status of an individual and to form political alliances between kingdoms. The marriages of Vasavadatta who was royal and Udayana was of political benefit to the two kingdoms. The second marriage of Udayana and Padmavatti also forged political Allie aces between the kingdom that Padmavatti hailed from and that of Udayana.

The various attributes that made a person attractive for marriage is also brought out in the novel. The major attractions are the physical appearance, the family from which the person hails from and the virtues that the individual posses over others. Padmavatti was attracted to Udayana because of his kind nature, his handsomeness and that he was from a royal family.

Describe the role of servants in the society where the drama has been set.

The servants in the society depicted in the play have various roles. The roles are of nursing their masters and mistresses to health when the fell ill, assisting in preparations of events, advising their employers and speaking for their employers.

The maids of Padmavatti prepared the wedding ceremony and the engagement of Udayana and Padmavatti. The maid of Padmavatti also advised her on the most suitable person to marry. Padmavatti was advised to marry Udayana and not the son of the king of Ujjain.

Describe the class system in the society where the play has been set.

The class system that is present in the novel is that of royalty and the commoners. Royalty held administrative positions in the kingdoms and the servants worked for royalty. The marriages are also ruled by the class systems. Padmavatti and Vasavadatta are from a royal family and are both married to Udayana who is a king.

The servants hold a central role in the society. This is because they aid their masters and mistresses and help them make good decisions regarding the lives of the masters and mistresses.