Anathema is a tragic drama that narrates the story of David, the play's lead, who inherits a fortune and sets out to reduce all the world's misery. He is manipulated throughout by 'Anathema', who represents the spirit of reasoning, of revolt, and sometimes Satan. Anathema wishes to have something to strengthen his case against God the Creator. The play initiated a lively debate in the Russian Orthodox Church at the time. A debate between those who denounced it as an attack on Christianity and those who applauded it as a vindication of Christianity. The play has the outstanding merit of...

Satan returns to earth and takes the form of a very wealthy American businessman who tours round Europe having fun and good time. Armed with good intentions, on this journey he encounters various people who are ready and evil enough to embarrass the Devil himself. He falls in love to a beautiful young woman which leaves him exposed for all the people who dare to take advantage of Satan himself.