the play “The Four of Them” was written in 1907. It was one of many plays by Zapolska from the so-called “house lamp circle” series. It is yet another version of the topic of the middle class marriage, a topic Zapolska was obsessed by. Mendacity, double moral standards, hypocrisy, philistinism, betrayal – all of these can be found hidden behind appearances of a seemingly normal relationship. Do contemporary humans living in the consumer society form different relationships than their ancestors from a century ago?

There is a sexual ritual in tantra called maithuna, it consist of meditation and rituals: body movements and poses, visualization of desires, sensory discipline stretched in time. During the first four months, the male yogi waits on the female yogi like a servant, he sleeps in the same room, but not in the same bed at first, and later at her feet. During the next four months, he still serves her and sleeps on the left side of her. For another four months he sleeps on the right side of her bed. They do not touch. Later on they sleep embracing each other. Then the male yogi brings the female the flowers, he bathes her, kisses her. When they finally have sex, he should avoid ejaculation. Only by controlling your instincts and keeping in the semen can the lovers experience a never-ending pleasure. A nirvana. You have to be an experienced yogi to be able to quiet down your desire and senses in order to achieve happiness. In any other case “keeping in the semen” sets off an irreversible tragedy of a breakdown.

– Dana Łukasińska”