'Orra' Summary

Orra is a play by Joanna Baillie that was first published in 1798. The play is set in the Scottish Highlands, and it tells the story of a young woman who is cursed with the power of second sight. Orra can see into the future, but her visions are often dark and disturbing. Orra is determined to use her gift to help others, but she soon finds herself caught up in a web of violence and intrigue.

The play opens with Orra having a vision of a young man being murdered. She tries to warn the man, but he refuses to believe her. The man is later murdered, and Orra is blamed for his death. She is forced to flee into the wilderness, where she is eventually captured by a group of bandits.

The bandits take Orra to their leader, a man named Rudiger. Rudiger is also a seer, and he is intrigued by Orra's powers. He offers to help her control her gift, but Orra refuses. She believes that her gift is a curse, and she wants nothing to do with it.

Orra eventually escapes from the bandits, and she returns to her village. She is still haunted by her visions, but she is determined to use her gift to help others. She begins to have visions of future events, and she warns the villagers of impending danger. The villagers are initially skeptical of Orra's visions, but they soon come to trust her.

Orra's visions eventually lead her to the discovery of a plot to assassinate the king. She warns the king of the plot, and he is able to foil it. Orra is hailed as a hero, and she is finally able to use her gift for good.

Orra is a powerful and moving play that explores the themes of good and evil, fate and free will, and the power of the human spirit. Orra is a complex and sympathetic character, and her journey is both heartbreaking and inspiring. The play is a must-read for fans of Gothic drama and psychological thrillers.