रत्नावली नाटिका (सम्राट हर्षवर्धन - शास्त्रीय नाटिका रत्न सम्पूर्ण ४ अङ्क सान्वय सटीक)

316 रत्नावलो
hero and heroine) is engulfed within the development of
incidents in such a way that its final achievement, though
expected to be accomplished, is not effected under the
prevailing circumstances. Ságariká in the guise of Vāsavadattá
was expected to be united with the King on the spot of secret
assignation; but the secret information about this, given to the
Queen who came there in time, frustrated the plot and ex-
posed the King, who mistook real Vāsavadattá to be Ságariká
in disguise. The King wanted to carry on a clandestine
love-intrigue with real Ságariká who subsequently came to the
place in the disguise of the Queen; but through irony of
fate, the Queen, returning immediately with a view to pacify
the King, detected the whole affair: and the King was thereby
doubly exposed. The result was about to be achieved, when
frustration came. The whole situation is manipulated in
such a skilful and artistic manner that there is not the
slightest tinge of impropriety anywhere. Everything appears
to be natural and spontaneous.
The main characters are found to be individualized in their
particular trends of temperament. Vidushaka's character has
been revealed here more clearly in its true colour than
before. The King, the Queen, and Ságariká all show indivi-
dual peculiarities of their respective characters.