A young aristocrat suffered an accident during an extravagant historical pageant, and awakened from unconsciousness believing himself to be the character he was portraying: Henry IV of Germany. For 20 years his family has humored him, and he lives secluded in a mock-throne room surrounded by his pretend court counsel. At last, a psychiatrist is hired to cure "Henry" of his illness, but everyone--including the audience--is in for some illuminating surprises. Pirandello's tragicomedy, Enrico IV, brilliantly explores the realm between sanity and madness, reality and perception.