The Rivals - Richard.B.Sherridan Detailed summary

                         Unit - 3 (Play)

         The Rivals - Richard.B.Sherridan 

 

Introduction : "The Rivals" is a play that falls under the genre of Comedy of Manners,written by Richard Brinsley Sheridan, who was both a dramatist and a statesman, and was originally from Ireland. Sheridan's five-act drama made its debut in 1775, establishing itself as a remarkable example of theater play in the eighteenth century. The comedy was not consistently well-received, though. Following its debut, the work received widespread criticism and was promptly disregarded as inferior craftsmanship. 

 Transition : Desiring financial support and determined to pursue his writing career, Sheridan gained valuable insights from the shortcomings of the first performance. He reduced the duration of the work by one hour, enhanced the portrayal of the characters, and debuted an almost brand-new comedy, which was well acclaimed. This revised version is currently being played and read.
Comedies induce laughter : Comedies like "The Rivals" are a reflection of the era in which they were created, typically imbued with the dominant ideologies of that day. Therefore, it is reasonable to anticipate that Sheridan's play will contain the moralizing sentimentalism that was commonly found in eighteenth-century theater. Sheridan deviated from this instructional kind of comedy, instead developing what Oliver Goldsmith himself described as "comedy that induces laughter." This innovative form of comedy surpassed the dreary emotional comedy, offering viewers a novel perspective on ethics and a fresh approach to perceiving life.

Characters and context : The characters in "The Rivals" are archetypal caricatures. Consequently, they symbolize different facets of human foolishness. Sheridan's play, despite being from the eighteenth century and focused on moral themes, remains remarkably contemporary and humorous, just as it did when it first entertained audiences during Sheridan's day. Undoubtedly, the term "malapropism," which remains in current usage, was originally derived from one of the characters in the play, Mrs. Malaprop. Mrs. Malaprop is renowned for employing sophisticated vocabulary, or terms that seem fancy, yet using them incorrectly.

Central theme : Mistaken identity
The characters:  The piece effectively satirizes the pretentiousness of its contemporary day. The overarching themes of deceitful personas and complicated love affairs, coupled with condemnation from parents, are shown amongst a comical display of exaggerated emotions. The characters in the play include Mrs. Malaprop, Lydia Languish, Captain Jack Absolute, Sir Anthony Absolute, Sir Lucius O’Trigger, and Bob Acres.
 

The plot : Captain Jack endeavors to court Lydia by assuming the identity of a destitute ensign called Beverley. This deception nearly incites Bob Acres and Captain Jack to engage in a duel. The deception also leads to several additional humorous twists. Captain Jack is also spurned by Lydia's aunt, Mrs. Malaprop, who contributes much to the comedic aspect of the play through her erroneous use of language. Ultimately, matters are settled in a genuine dramatic manner, albeit after the exaggerated representations of human foolishness unfold their story of comedic absurdity.
Sheridan's "The Rivals" explores numerous subjects in its composition and is widely acclaimed as a beloved literary work. Sheridan's own experiences of encountering failure and subsequently achieving success serve as a compelling testament to the significance of persevering in pursuit of one's aspirations. If Sheridan had not been persistent, "The Rivals" would not have been created in its current form, and it would have likely suffered the same fate as many other plays from the eighteenth century, becoming forgotten over time.

 The piece exemplifies the negative outcomes that can arise from lying and the desire to present oneself as someone other than one's true self. Rather than deceiving others by one's demeanor or speech, it is advisable to confront circumstances with honesty. The truth is ultimately unveiled at the conclusion of a challenging experience, and in "The Rivals," the truth plays a pivotal role in guiding one's life towards its intended path.

The plot : The play "The Rivals" is with the romantic difficulties faced by Lydia Languish, who is resolute in her desire to marry for love, even if it means entering into a state of financial hardship(Poverty). Acknowledging this fact, the noble Captain Jack Absolute pursues her romantically while assuming the identity of Ensign Beverley. However, Lydia's aunt, Mrs. Malaprop, refuses to allow her to marry a low-ranking military officer, and Lydia will forfeit fifty percent of her wealth if she chooses to marry without her aunt's consent. One of the play's numerous storyline problems involves the arrival of Sir Anthony, who is Jack's father. Ultimately, Lydia relinquishes her emotional attachments and consents to wed Jack.  Sheridan's play did not introduce completely novel settings and people, but his abundant humor and exceptional ability to create dramatic impact brought a sense of novelty to them. Mrs. Malaprop emerged as a highly favored portrayal in English theater.

Conclusion : The Rivals is a clever theatrical work that uses satire to critique the contemporary era, with a  tone of humor,cleverness and irony to critique the social customs prevalent in a society, frequently centering around one or more romantic relationships.The play mostly revolves around romantic relationships.