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Richard Brinsley Sheridan was an Irish playwright and politician who is known for his play The Rivals, not a book titled The Rivals written by Richard Brinsley. The Rivals is a comedy of manners that was first performed in 1775 and has since become one of Sheridan’s most famous works.
The Rivals is set in the fashionable city of Bath, England, and revolves around the romantic entanglements and misunderstandings of various characters. The plot primarily follows the wealthy and eccentric Captain Jack Absolute, who disguises himself as a poor naval officer named Ensign Beverly to pursue his love interest, Lydia Languish. However, Lydia is enamored with the idea of romantic heroes and poverty, so Captain Absolute’s disguise becomes a hurdle in their relationship.
The play also introduces other memorable characters, such as the domineering Mrs. Malaprop, who is known for her misuse of words and hilarious malapropisms. Her niece, Julia Melville, is in love with Captain Absolute but is forced into an arranged marriage with the wealthy and foolish Sir Anthony Absolute’s son, Faulkland. The comedic and intricate plot weaves together misunderstandings, deceptions and humorous exchanges, leading to a series of comic situations and a satisfying resolution.
The Rivals is celebrated for its witty dialogue, memorable characters and satirical portrayal of social conventions and romantic ideals. Sheridan’s sharp and clever writing style brings the characters to life, creating an entertaining and enduring comedy. The play explores themes of love, mistaken identities, social pretensions and the absurdities of courtship, presenting a lighthearted critique of society and human nature.
The Rivals is considered a classic of English theater and continues to be performed and studied to this day. It showcases Richard Brinsley Sheridan’s talent for comedy and his keen observation of the society in which he lived.
Richard Brinsley Sheridan was an Irish playwright and politician who is known for his play The Rivals, not a book titled The Rivals written by Richard Brinsley. The Rivals is a comedy of manners that was first performed in 1775 and has since become one of Sheridan’s most famous works.
The Rivals is set in the fashionable city of Bath, England, and revolves around the romantic entanglements and misunderstandings of various characters. The plot primarily follows the wealthy and eccentric Captain Jack Absolute, who disguises himself as a poor naval officer named Ensign Beverly to pursue his love interest, Lydia Languish. However, Lydia is enamored with the idea of romantic heroes and poverty, so Captain Absolute’s disguise becomes a hurdle in their relationship.
The play also introduces other memorable characters, such as the domineering Mrs. Malaprop, who is known for her misuse of words and hilarious malapropisms. Her niece, Julia Melville, is in love with Captain Absolute but is forced into an arranged marriage with the wealthy and foolish Sir Anthony Absolute’s son, Faulkland. The comedic and intricate plot weaves together misunderstandings, deceptions and humorous exchanges, leading to a series of comic situations and a satisfying resolution.
The Rivals is celebrated for its witty dialogue, memorable characters and satirical portrayal of social conventions and romantic ideals. Sheridan’s sharp and clever writing style brings the characters to life, creating an entertaining and enduring comedy. The play explores themes of love, mistaken identities, social pretensions and the absurdities of courtship, presenting a lighthearted critique of society and human nature.
The Rivals is considered a classic of English theater and continues to be performed and studied to this day. It showcases Richard Brinsley Sheridan’s talent for comedy and his keen observation of the society in which he lived.
Richard Brinsley Sheridan (1751-1816) was an Irish playwright, poet and politician who is known in the literary kingdom for his wit, satire and a strong influence on the theatrical scene of late eighteenth-century London. Born in Dublin, Ireland, Sheridan had a remarkable career that spanned the worlds of literature, theater and politics leaving a rich legacy for the generations to come.
Sheridan’s literary talent was evident from an early age. His first notable work was a comic opera titled The Rivals, which premiered in 1775. The play showcased Sheridan’s sharp wit and skillful wordplay, establishing him as a prominent playwright. This success was followed by his masterpiece, The School for Scandal (1777), a satirical comedy that remains one of the greatest achievements in English drama. With its clever dialogue and biting social commentary, the play solidified Sheridan’s reputation as a master of comedy and satire.
In addition to his success as a playwright, Sheridan was also involved in theater management. In 1776, he became a co-manager of the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, one of London’s most prestigious theaters. Under Sheridan’s management, the theater thrived and became a center of cultural and social life in the city. He introduced reforms, improved the quality of productions and attracted talented actors, cementing his position as a leading figure in the theater world.
Despite his success in the literary and theatrical realms, Sheridan faced financial difficulties throughout his life. He was known for his extravagant lifestyle. Even his lavish spending often outpaced his earnings. To overcome his financial challenges, he turned to politics. In 1780, Sheridan entered the political arena and was elected to the House of Commons. He aligned himself with the Whig Party and became an influential member, known for his eloquence and sharp debating skills.
Sheridan’s political career was marked by his outspokenness and his support for causes such as parliamentary reform and freedom of the press. He was a vocal critic of government corruption and was involved in several high-profile political controversies. Despite his controversial nature, Sheridan was a compelling figure in both the theater and political spheres.
In his later years, Sheridan faced more personal and financial setbacks. He lost control of the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, and struggled with debt. However, his contributions to literature and theater remained significant. Even after his death in 1816, Sheridan’s plays continued to be performed and appreciated for their timeless wit and social commentary. His works have had a lasting influence on the development of English comedy and continue to be studied and performed today.
Richard Brinsley Sheridan’s legacy as a playwright, theater manager and politician is a testament to his immense talent and his impact on the cultural landscape of his time. His contributions to literature, theater and politics have secured his place as one of the most important figures of the late 18th century and a revered name in the history of English drama.
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The RIVALS
A Comedy
By Richard Brinsley Sheridan
Newgen Knowledge Works Offices
Chennai Pondicherry Pune Kottayam Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia)
Leipzig (Germany) Amsterdam (Netherlands) Stroud (UK) Texas (USA)
First published in 1775 by SAVILLE THEATRE
This book has been inspired from the original version of The Rivals first published in 1775, available in the public domain. Due care and diligence have been taken while bringing out this edition; neither the author nor the publishers of the book hold any responsibility for any mistake that may have inadvertently crept in. The publishers shall not be liable for any direct, consequential, or incidental damages arising out of the use of the book.
© Trove Books Edition, 2023
Paperback ISBN: 978-81-19303-68-7
eBook ISBN: 978-81-19303-73-1
WebPDF: 978-81-19303-77-9
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Author Bio
Richard Brinsley Sheridan (1751-1816) was an Irish playwright, poet and politician who is known in the literary kingdom for his wit, satire and a strong influence on the theatrical scene of late eighteenth-century London. Born in Dublin, Ireland, Sheridan had a remarkable career that spanned the worlds of literature, theater and politics leaving a rich legacy for the generations to come.
Sheridan’s literary talent was evident from an early age. His first notable work was a comic opera titled The Rivals, which premiered in 1775. The play showcased Sheridan’s sharp wit and skillful wordplay, establishing him as a prominent playwright. This success was followed by his masterpiece, The School for Scandal (1777), a satirical comedy that remains one of the greatest achievements in English drama. With its clever dialogue and biting social commentary, the play solidified Sheridan’s reputation as a master of comedy and satire.
In addition to his success as a playwright, Sheridan was also involved in theater management. In 1776, he became a co-manager of the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, one of London’s most prestigious theaters. Under Sheridan’s management, the theater thrived and became a center of cultural and social life in the city. He introduced reforms, improved the quality of productions and attracted talented actors, cementing his position as a leading figure in the theater world.
Despite his success in the literary and theatrical realms, Sheridan faced financial difficulties throughout his life. He was known for his extravagant lifestyle. Even his lavish spending often outpaced his earnings. To overcome his financial challenges, he turned to politics. In 1780, Sheridan entered the political arena and was elected to the House of Commons. He aligned himself with the Whig Party and became an influential member, known for his eloquence and sharp debating skills.
Sheridan’s political career was marked by his outspokenness and his support for causes such as parliamentary reform and freedom of the press. He was a vocal critic of government corruption and was involved in several high-profile political controversies. Despite his controversial nature, Sheridan was a compelling figure in both the theater and political spheres.
In his later years, Sheridan faced more personal and financial setbacks. He lost control of the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, and struggled with debt. However, his contributions to literature and theater remained significant. Even after his death in 1816, Sheridan’s plays continued to be performed and appreciated for their timeless wit and social commentary. His works have had a lasting influence on the development of English comedy and continue to be studied and performed today.
Richard Brinsley Sheridan’s legacy as a playwright, theater manager and politician is a testament to his immense talent and his impact on the cultural landscape of his time. His contributions to literature, theater and politics have secured his place as one of the most important figures of the late 18th century and a revered name in the history of English drama.
