Richard Brinsley Sheridan And The Rivals English Literature Essay

Richard Brinsley Sheriadan ‘s Life. To state that Richard Brinsley Sheridan had an easy life without a batch of jobs would be a stretch. Richard Brinsley Sheridan had his just portion of jobs in his life clip. They included household jobs, fiscal jobs, and calling jobs. Sheridan was n’t a one profession cat. He had many professions including, dramatist, theatre director, and politician.

Richard Brinsley Sheridan was born in Dublin Ireland on October 30th, 1751, to Thomas and Frances Sheridan. His male parent worked as an histrion, theatre director and instructor ( Hare, Arnold 252-271 ) .

His female parent was a dramatist and novelist. Richard was sent to Harrow School for his instruction. He was really unhappy at that place, because his male parent did non give him money or allow him come place on vacations. At the age of 17 Richard left Harrow. He was unable to travel to a university because of deficiency of fundss, so he went back to populate with his household in Bath.

He was given a coach and had day-to-day elocutions lessons with his male parent. ( “ Richard Brinsley Sheridan ” ) . In 1770 Bath started to go a more and more popular topographic point to see because of its hot springs and other attractive forces. Richards ‘s male parent so started “ Attic Entertainments ” which was a show that included oratories every bit good as music. Thomas Sheridan hired Thomas Linely, the best instrumentalist in Bath, and his household to execute in “ Attic Entertainments ” . The kids of the Linley and Sheridan households became good friends and turned to each other for aid when they did n’t understand the show concern around them.

Richard shortly fell in love with Elizabeth Linley, the beautiful oldest girl of Thomas Linley. Elizabeth Linely was a really gifted vocalist and had many work forces seeking after her. Richard finally married Elizabeth in 1773, after an flight mission to acquire out of get marrieding a adult male that she did non desire to get married and Richard contending Thomas Matthews for the right to get married Elizabeth. ( Hare, Arnold 252-271 )

Richard decided, shortly after the two were married, that as a “ gentleman ” he could non allow his married woman be a professional vocalist so Elizabeth merely sang in private from so on. Since she was non singing any more Richard had to happen some beginning of income fast. He started to compose his first dramas in 1775. The dramas he wrote included The Rivals, St. Patrick ‘s Day, and The Duenna. ( Hare, Arnold 252-271 ) . The Duenna did really good at one of London ‘s most popular theaters. The director was stepping down so it seemed right that Sheridan take his occupation and bought a portion of the theatre partnership with others. Sheridan went into debt for his portion of the theater. This started his long battle with fundss. After he had a slow start Sheridan ‘s theatre direction calling started to take off in 1777 when he wrote his ain version of Sir John Vanbrugh ‘s The Relapse. A twelvemonth subsequently one of his plants, The School for Scandal, was considered mastermind. In the following two old ages he wrote two fabulous pieces, The Camp, and The Critic. These were his last two dramas before he took a 20 twelvemonth interruption from composing. The lone authorship he did in that 20 twelvemonth period was modifying other plants or merely making little fragments of a piece. ( Hare, Arnold 252-271 ) . In 1792 Elizabeth, his first married woman died tragically. In 1795 he remarried to Esther Jane. After she died, he remarried yet once more to Caroline Henriette nee Callander who became a great author herself. ( Sheridan, Richard Brinsley. )

In 1780 Richard Brinsley Sheridan was elected to parliament and started yet another calling in political relations. He entered parliament as a “ Whig politician ” for Stafford. He was sponsored by the Duchess of Devonshire and Charles James Fox. At the clip it was rumored that he had bribed the Duchess to back up him, but he made his first address to support himself and the accusals were put to rest. ( Sheridan, Richard Brinsley ) . Sheridan was said to be one of the best talkers in all of parliament. During the impeachment test of Warren Hastings he made several addresss that were long and showed his great endowment of public speech production. ( Durant, Jack D. 397 ) He besides made another outstanding address when the “ Whig ” party was interrupting up during the Gallic revolution. It argued that the Gallic should be able to settle their fundamental law and pull off their authorities in a mode they decided. In 1806 he was appointed to be financial officer of the Navy. After Fox died Sheridan became in charge of stand foring Westminster. He represented Westminster until 1807 when he lost the election. He came back to parliament to stand for Ilchester until 1812, when he could non win a place or purchase a place in parliament, and had no 1 to back up or assist him. As he lost his place in parliament he besides lost his security of non being arrested by his creditors. His last yearss were non pleasant as he was harassed by creditors. He died in 1816 suffering and destitute. ( Richard Brinsley Sheridan ( 1751-1816 ) ) .

Overview / Summary of The Rivals

The Rivals was the first drama Richard Brinsley Sheridan ‘s wrote. He did non mean for the drama to be autobiographical, but he used many events that had late happened to him as a footing for events in this drama. ( Hare, Arnold 252-271 ) The first public presentation of The Rivals was non good liked, because of its length and bad playing by the histrion in the lead function. ( Sheridan, Richard Brinsley ) . Sheridan so revised the drama, and it was back on the phase in 11 yearss. The Rivals was successful in its 2nd gap. ( Hare, Arnold 252-271 ) .

The Rivals first act is centered on Captain Jack Absolute, the boy of Sir Anthony Absolute and his relationships with his male parent and Lydia Languish. Jack Absolute comes to Bathe to see the beautiful and affluent Lydia Languish, except Jack Absolute had disguised himself as a hapless adult male named Ensign Beverly. Lydia is excited about interrupting the regulations and perchance run offing with Mr. Beverly. Jack knows that if they elope, she will free at least two tierces of her heritage. Her aunt, Mrs. Malaprop, who is besides her defender does non O.K. of the matrimony. Lydia ‘s aunt so found out that she was in secret seeing Beverly and grounded Lydia to Mrs. Malaprop ‘s house so she could maintain an oculus on her. Julia, a friend of Lydia ‘s attempts to assist Lydia acquire over Beverly, but Lydia decides that she will get married Beverly anyhow. Meanwhile Mrs. Malaprop is holding her ain love affair, with Sir Lucius O’Trigger under the false name of Delia. Lucy, Mrs. Malaprops amah, who is besides the courier between O’Trigger and Mrs. Malaprop P has been stating O’Trigger that Delia is truly Lydia and non Mrs. Malaprop. The secret plan starts to acquire even more interesting when Sir Anthony shows up in Bath and proposes an ordered matrimony for Lydia, and his boy, Jack Absolute. Mrs. Malaprop instantly goes to Lydia and tells her to bury about Beverly and insists that Lydia will get married Jack Absolute. Lydia was really disquieted about this because she did non cognize Jack Absolute was truly Ensign Beverly. Sir Anthony tells his boy about the ordered matrimony he has planned for his boy. Jack is really angry that his male parent has arranged a matrimony and did non state him. Jack ‘s friend, Faulkland, comes and tells Jack about how he is engaged to Julia, Lydia ‘s friend. Faulkland is in love with Julia, but is convinced Julia would non be faithful to him. When Jack finds out his lucifer is Lydia, he goes to his male parent and apologizes. They so go to run into with Mrs. Malaprop. ( theatrehistory.com ) . When Jack and his male parent are talking with Mrs. Malaprop, she is pleased with his character and believes he is a good lucifer for her niece.

Jack tells Mrs. Mallaprop that she should allow Beverly and Lydia get ready to run off and so hold Jack measure in and take Lydia. She thinks this is a good thought besides. Lydia finds out that “ Beverly ” is truly Jack and tells her aunt that she will merely get married Beverly. Bob Acers, a adult male, who is besides in love with Lydia, finds out that Lydia is merely interested in Beverly and is told by O’Trigger that he should dispute his challenger to a double. Mr. Acers writes a note and challenges Beverly to a double that really dark. O’Trigger so goes seeking for Captain Absolute to dispute him to a double because he thinks that he is his challenger for Delia. Sir Absolute insists on taking Jack to Lydia ‘s place to present the two of them. When Lydia sees Jack she realizes that he is truly Beverly and is upset because she was being lied to sing his true individuality and declares that she will ne’er hold a relationship with “ Beverly ” .

Jack is upset about what happened with Lydia and Tells Faulkland about the approaching double for her. When they all arrive at the double Mr. Acers finds out that his existent challenger is Jack Absolute and refuses to contend him but O’Trigger so wants to contend Jack Absolute when the adult females and Sir Anthony Absolute arrive. O’Trigger finds out that Delia is truly Miss Mallaprop and is non happy. Lydia forgives Jack, and O’Trigger apologizes for desiring to hold a double with him. Faulkland and Julia shortly find out that they both love each other and want to acquire married right off. The drama ends with the twosomes happening true love and populating merrily of all time after. ( theatrehistory.com ) .

Critical Analysis

Influences

Events of Richard Brinsley Sheridan ‘s life, the clip period he lived in, and other literature and plays all influenced Sheridan as he wrote The Rivals. His life was a large influence. Elementss of the love affair in the program mirror his love affair with Elizabeth Linley. One illustration of this is how he was from a lower societal position that Elizabeth. This is highly similar to how Lydia was in love with “ Ensign Beverly ” even though he was ‘poor ‘ . Another event in the drama which is really similar to his life is how he had to duel twice with Thomas Matthews for Elizabeth and how his characters were traveling to duel for the love of Lydia and ‘Delia ‘ . ( Hare, Arnold 252-271 )

The clip in which he lived besides had a batch of influence on his authorship of the drama. At the clip he wrote this drama comedies were get downing to go more and more popular. He besides used a Gallic technique which was adding an afterpiece after the drama. ( Hare, Arnold 252-271 ) . The people who came to his show had a large influence because on the dark of the Prime Minister it was non good liked and he had to travel back and alteration it so it would be more recognized by everyone. ( www.enotes.com ) . Thomas Harrison besides had an influence on the drama because without his encouragement, Richard Brinsley Sheridan may hold ne’er written the drama in the first topographic point. ( Hare, Arnold 252-271 ) .

Literature and other dramas besides influenced how Richard Brinsley Sheridan wrote the drama and developed characters. Sheridan could hold gotten an thought for the character of Mrs. Malaprop from Henry Fieldings book Joseph Fieldings. Fielding ‘s character was named Mrs. Slipslop. They are a batch likewise because both of them can be called a “ mighty affecter of difficult words. “ ( The Rivals, a CurtainUp Berkshire Review ) .

Main Subjects

In The Rivals, some of the chief subjects are true love get the better ofing obstructions, competition, and forgiveness. True love get the better ofing obstructions is shown through out this full drama. One of the most evident illustrations is Lydia and ‘Ensign Beverly ‘ or Captain Jack Absolute. These two are in love and travel through obstructions and in the terminal come out stronger and more in love. Some of the things they had to travel through were, seeking to in secret run off, Lydia non cognizing Jack ‘s existent individuality, and holding another adult male ( Bob Acres ) be prosecuting Lydia. Another illustration of true love overcoming is, Faulkland and Julia. Faulkland and Julia go through many ups and downs, they are betrothed but Faulkland still does n’t believe that Julia loves him. Then Faulkland attempts to prove her love by stating her that he is traveling to run off, so she decides she desire to travel with him and acquire married but even so he still does n’t believe that she loves him.

Rivalry is a major subject in this book, therefore the name The Rivals. This is a subject in the drama because it seems like in about every state of affairs there is some type of competition. It is normally household competition like Mrs. Malaprop and Lydia, or it is rivalry for love like Mr. Estates and ‘Ensign Beverly ‘ . The Rivalry shown in the drama is sometimes resolved with a speedy apology, and in other instances the declaration was a affaire d’honneur. ( theatrehistory.com ) .

One other subject that is evident in this book is forgiveness. Forgiveness plays a cardinal function in how the drama ends. If Lydia had non forgiven Jack for lying to her about his true individuality the stoping would hold been wholly different. Bob Acres besides forgives Jack and does non stop up dueling him for Lydia because he realizes that would be infantile. In the state of affairs of Faulkland and Julia, their love would hold gone nowhere if Julia did non forgive Faulkland for non swearing her and seeking to prove their relationship.

Stylistic Devicess

The stylistic devices used in The Rivals were sarcasm, foil characters and sarcasm. One of the most obvious devices that Richard Brinsley Sheridan used in The Rivals was satire. ( Hare, Arnold 252-271 ) . Satire is a literary tool that is used to roast or mock people for their determinations or actions. ( Stein, Jess 1171 ) . Sheridan used characters as a signifier of sarcasm. He may hold used Mrs. Malaprop to mock the adult females who were now get downing to be extremely educated. He did this by holding her usage words falsely because they sounded similar. This is called malapropism, named after Mrs. Malaprop. ( Stein, Jess 809 ) . He besides used the character of Lydia to satire the immature sentimentalist misss that did non believe but merely acted off their feelings. ( Hare, Arnold 252-271 ) .

The following Stylistic Device that Richard Brinsley Sheridan used in The Rivals was foil characters. Foil characters are characters that compare and contrast each other. An illustration from the drama would be Jack Absolute and Lydia, because Jack is really realistic and Lydia is the romantic 1. Sheridan besides foils O’Trigger and Mr. Estates because O’Trigger still wants to duel even when he finds out Jack Absolute is non even his challenger. When Mr. Acres finds out that his challenger is person different from who he thinks it was, he does non desire to duel over a lady. ( Hare, Arnold 252-271 ) .

Irony is when something happens that is opposite or different from what was expected to go on. Irony is shown in this drama in multiple signifiers. Sheridan used sarcasm to do this drama amusing and interesting. One illustration of sarcasm is how Jack Absolute disguises himself as a hapless adult male to acquire the attending of Lydia. This is dry because normally people try to look like they have more money than they truly do to acquire person ‘s fondness. Irony is besides evident when Faulkland thinks that Julia will non be faithful to him. This is dry because normally it is the miss that worries that the cat will non remain faithful.

Fictional characters

Richard Brinsley Sheridan did a really good occupation of constructing his characters and holding every one of them contribute to the secret plan. Since this was the first drama he had written he used some authoritative characters that he knew everyone would bask. ( Hare, Arnold 252-271 ) . Mrs. Malaprop made this drama celebrated for her inability to utilize words that sounded the same right. She besides contributed to the secret plan significantly by seeking to command Lydia ‘s love life and holding her ain matter under the false name of Delia.

Lydia, Mrs. Malaprop ‘s niece is the female lead. She is a wealthy 17 twelvemonth old that is immature and in love. She loves entertaining the thought of run offing with her Ensign Beverly her love. Lydia contributes to the secret plan by declining to get married Jack Absolute and make up one’s minding that she will merely get married Ensign Beverly.

Ensign Beverly is truly Jack Absolute disguised as a hapless fledgling to the town. This chief character with an assumed name complicates the secret plan. Jack Absolute is the boy of Sir Anthony Absolute that is told he must get married Lydia and is challenged to a affaire d’honneur for her.

Other minor characters lending to the secret plan include, Sir Anthony is Jack Absolute ‘s pa that proposes this ordered matrimony between Jack and Lydia to Mrs. Malaprop. O’Trigger is who Delia or Mrs. Malaprop is holding a written love matter with. O’Trigger thinks that Delia is Lydia. He besides tells Bob Acres that he should dispute Ensign Beverly to a affaire d’honneur for Lydia ‘s love. O’Trigger himself challenges Jack Absolute to a affaire d’honneur for ‘Delias ‘ love because he knows that Jack is traveling to get married Lydia and he thinks that Delia is Lydia non Mrs. Malaprop.

Bob Acres is a nice state chap who was prosecuting Lydia for a married woman and challenges Ensign to a affaire d’honneur but so backs out when he finds out that Ensign is truly his friend Jack Absolute. Faulkland is a friend of Jack ‘s that is engaged to Julia and has cold pess. He contributes to the secret plan by speaking to Jack and stating him that the miss that Jack ‘s male parent wants him to get married is Julia.

Julia is one of Lydia ‘s friends and attempts to speak Lydia out of loving Ensign but it did n’t work and so Lydia tells her aunt that she will non get married whoever she has arranged for her to get married. ( www.enotes.com ) .

Test Over Richard Brinsley Sheridan and The Rivals

Name _________________

Date__________________

Directions: Match the characters to the most right description.

____ Sir Anthony Absolute

____ Captain Jack Absolute

____ Faukland

____ Bob Acres

____ Sir Lucious O’Trigger

____ Lydia Languish

____ Mrs. Malaprop

____ Julia Melville

a. rich immature inheritress that is in love with Ensign Beverly

b. Ensign Beverly

c. in love but is undermining their relationship with misgiving

d. Delia

e. composing to ‘Delia ‘ but does non cognize who ‘Delia ‘ truly is

f. wealthy and seeking to get married off their kid

g. proposes a affaire d’honneur and so backs out of the affaire d’honneur.

h. a friend that tries to give relationship advice but is holding jobs of their ain.

Multiple Choice, circle the most right reply

1. Which one of these was NOT one of Sheridan ‘s professions?

a. playwrite b. politician c. director d. instructor

2. How many times was Sheridan married?

a. 1 B. 2 c.3 d. none

3. Where was Richard Brinsley Sheridan born?

a. London, England c. Pennsylvania, United States

b. Whales d. Dublin, Ireland

4. Which of these dramas did Sheridan compose foremost?

a. The Rivals c. Pizzaro

B. The School for Scandal d. The Critic

5. What political group was Sheridan involved with?

a. Republican Party c. Democratic Party

b. Whig Party d. The Rebels

6. What was one of his great endowments that helped him when he was in parliament?

a. intriguing c. public speech production

b. job work outing d. War schemes

7. Which one of these topographic points did Sheridan represent in parliament?

a. Stafford c. Ilchester

b. Westminster d. all of the above

8. Who came up with the thought of a affaire d’honneur in The Rivals?

a. Acres c. Sir Anthony Absolute

b. O’Trigger d. Lydia

9. What is malapropism?

a. a manner of composing dramas that makes it travel faster.

b. a political term which means to convert person that something is good when truly it will ache them.

c. the abuse of words because they sound the similar

d. none of the above

10. Who was Sheridan ‘s first married woman?

a. Esther Jane c. Caroline Hanriette

b. Elizabeth Linley d. Emily Fredrichs

11. What type of drama was The Rivals?

a. Comedy c. Drama

c. Opera d. none of the above

12. What was one of Sheridan ‘s chief jobs that he had throughout his full life?

a. Family c. Social

B. Keeping a occupation d. Financial

Fill in the Blank.

1. Richard Brinsley Sheridan was born on ____________________________

2. French republics and Thomas Sheridan were Richard’s________________________

3 & A ; 4. What was Richard ‘s first married woman ___________________ _______________ was a really good _________________ .

5. Sheridan tried to impeach______________________ with his some of his best addresss in parliament.

6. Richard Brinsley Sheridan was ___ old ages old when he completed composing The Rivals.

7. Richard Brinsley Sheridan was ___ old ages old when he left Harrow school.

8. _________ is the town that Sheridan lived in and put his drama The Rivals in.

9. Malapropism got its name from______________________

10. Richard Brinsley Sheridan died on _________________________

Essay, answer the inquiry in 5-8 sentences.

In your sentiment do you believe that Richard Brinsley Sheridan and his male parent Thomas Sheridan are similar to Sir Anthony Absolute and Jack Absolute?

Test Over Richard Brinsley Sheridan and The Rivals

ANSWER KEY!

Name _________________

Date__________________

Directions: Match the characters to the most right description.

1.__f__ Sir Anthony Absolute

2.__b_ Captain Jack Absolute

3.__c__ Faukland

4.__g_ Bob Estates

5.__e__Sir Lucious O’Trigger

6.__a_ Lydia Languish

7.__d_ Mrs. Malaprop

8.__h__ Julia Melville

a. rich immature inheritress that is in love with Ensign Beverly

b. Ensign Beverly

c. in love but is undermining their relationship with misgiving

d. Delia

e. composing to ‘Delia ‘ but does non cognize who ‘Delia ‘ truly is

f. wealthy and seeking to get married off their kid

g. proposes a affaire d’honneur and so backs out of the affaire d’honneur.

h. a friend that tries to give relationship advice but is holding jobs of their ain.

Multiple Choice, circle the most right reply

1. Which one of these was NOT one of Sheridan ‘s professions?

a. playwrite b. politician c. director d. instructor

2. How many times was Sheridan married?

a. 1 B. 2 c.3 d. none

3. Where was Richard Brinsley Sheridan born?

a. London, England c. Pennsylvania, United States

b. Whales d. Dublin, Ireland

4. Which of these dramas did Sheridan compose foremost?

a. The Rivals c. Pizzaro

B. The School for Scandal d. The Critic

5. What political group was Sheridan involved with?

a. Republican Party c. Democratic Party

b. Whig Party d. The Rebels

6. What was one of his great endowments that helped him when he was in parliament?

a. intriguing c. public speech production

b. job work outing d. War schemes

7. Which one of these topographic points did Sheridan represent in parliament?

a. Stafford c. Ilchester

b. Westminster d. all of the above

8. Who came up with the thought of a affaire d’honneur in The Rivals?

a. Acres c. Sir Anthony Absolute

b. O’Trigger d. Lydia

9. What is malapropism?

a. a manner of composing dramas that makes it travel faster.

b. a political term which means to convert person that something is good when truly it will ache them.

c. the abuse of words because they sound the similar

d. none of the above

10. Who was Sheridan ‘s first married woman?

a. Esther Jane c. Caroline Hanriette

b. Elizabeth Linley d. Emily Fredrichs

11. What type of drama was The Rivals?

a. Comedy c. Drama

c. Opera d. none of the above

12. What was one of Sheridan ‘s chief jobs that he had throughout his full life?

a. Family c. Social

B. Keeping a occupation d. Financial

Fill in the Blank.

1. Richard Brinsley Sheridan was born on __October 30,1751__________________

2. French republics and Thomas Sheridan were Richard’s___parents_____________________

3 & A ; 4. Who was Richard ‘s first married woman __Elizabeth_____________ ____Linley___________ and she was a really good ____singer_______ .

5. Sheridan tried to impeach____Warren Hastings____________ with his some of his best addresss in parliament.

6. Richard Brinsley Sheridan was _23__ old ages old when he completed composing The Rivals.

7. Richard Brinsley Sheridan was _17__ old ages old when he left Harrow school.

8. _Bath__ is the town that Sheridan lived in and put his drama The Rivals in.

9. Malapropism got its name from__Mrs. Malaprop________

10. Richard Brinsley Sheridan died on ___July 7, 1816______________________

Essay, answer the inquiry in 5-8 sentences.

In your sentiment do you believe that Richard Brinsley Sheridan and his male parent Thomas Sheridan are similar to Sir Anthony Absolute and Jack Absolute?

Yes, I think that Richard Brinsley Sheridan and his male parent are similar to Sir Anthony Absolute and Jack Absolute. One ground I think this is because in both relationships the male parent makes determinations that their boies do non hold with. I besides think they are similar because the boies are in love with a miss but the male parents do non desire their boies to get married her. In the instance of Sir Absolute and Jack Absolute, his male parent really wants his boy Jack to get married the miss that he wants to get married but he ne’er tells his boy of his desire.

Although the characters in the drama are similar to Richard Brinsley Sheridan and his male parent, they are besides different in that Sir Anthony Absolute and Jack Absolute reconcile after they fight. Richard Brinsley Sheridan and his male parent, Thomas Sheridan, did non accommodate. It could be that Richard Brinsley Sheridan wrote the stoping to his drama the manner he would hold hoped that he and his male parent would hold reconciled.

*To receive full recognition the pupil must province what they think and give specific illustrations to endorse up their reply