Summary of "Accidental Death of an Anarchist"

Dario Fo is a playwright thus the "Accidental Death of an Anarchist" is a play, and it is based on an event from real life. A bomb exploded in Italy in 1969 and killed 16 people. Giovanni Pinelli was arrested for the crime, and after the interrogation he fell out of the police station's window from the fourth floor. Suicide claimed the police.

When the play begins the incident happend a few weeks ago. The play which is based on a tragedy is not at all sad. Dario Fo uses comedy to communicate and criticize the corrupt and unfair society in this farce. A character known as Maniac is an impersonator and is therefore being questioned by inspector Bertozzo at the police station. Maniac has a quick mind and he uses his wit to convince three police officers that he is a judge who has come to investigate the unfortunate incident.

Here Maniac introduces himself to the police officer Pissani.

MANIAC: I am Professor Marco Maria Malipiero, first councillor to the High Court.
CONSTABLE gets hand caught in filing cabinet.
PISSANI: (Heart attack coming on) My God, the judge.
CONSTABLE: AAH!
MANIAC: 'Formerly' lecturer at the University of Rome, with two commas and a full stop in the normal way.
PISSANI: We didn't expect you so soon.
MANIAC: Precisely. We decided to catch you on the hop. Does that put you out?

Maniac continues throughout the play to mock the police officers, and he also helps them to create a better and more foolproof version of what happend that dreadful day. "Accidental Death of an Anarchist" is a very funny farce and the Maniac calculates and manipulates the situation. The corrupt and desperate police officers fully trust Maniac's judicial expertise.

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