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Rivals SUMMARY, ANALYSIS
Rivals SUMMARY, ANALYSIS
Personal details
Contents
1Life
o 1.1Playwright
o 1.2Member of Parliament
2Family life
3Works
4Adaptations and cultural references
5Notes
6References
7Further reading
8External links
Life[edit]
Portrait of a Gentleman, traditionally identified as Richard Brinsley Sheridan, by John
Hoppner
RB Sheridan was born in 1751 in Dublin, Ireland, where his family had a
house on then fashionable Dorset Street. While in Dublin Sheridan
attended the English Grammar School in Grafton Street. The family
moved permanently to England in 1758 when he was aged seven.[1] He
was a pupil at Harrow School from 1762 to 1768.[2]
His mother, Frances Sheridan, was a playwright and novelist. She had
two plays produced in London in the early 1760s, though she is best
known for her novel The Memoirs of Miss Sidney Biddulph (1761).[3] His
father, Thomas Sheridan, was for a while an actor-manager at
the Smock Alley Theatre in Dublin, but following his move to England in
1758 he gave up acting and wrote several books on the subject of
education, and especially the standardisation of the English language in
education.[4] After Sheridan's period in Harrow School, his father
employed a private tutor, Lewis Ker, who directed his studies in his
father's house in London, while Angelo instructed him in fencing and
horsemanship.[2]
In 1772 Sheridan fought two duels with Captain Thomas Mathews, who
had written a newspaper article defaming the character of Elizabeth Ann
Linley, the woman Sheridan intended to marry. In the first duel, they
agreed to fight in Hyde Park, but finding it too crowded they went first to
the Hercules Pillars tavern (on the site where Apsley House now stands
at Hyde Park Corner) and then on to the Castle Tavern in Henrietta
Street, Covent Garden.[5]Far from its romantic image, the duel was short
and bloodless. Mathews lost his sword and, according to Sheridan, was
forced to "beg for his life" and sign a retraction of the article. [6] The
apology was made public and Mathews, infuriated by the publicity the
duel had received, refused to accept his defeat as final and challenged
Sheridan to another duel. Sheridan was not obliged to accept this
challenge, but could have become a social pariah if he had not. The
second duel, fought in July 1772 at Kingsdown near Bath,[7] was a much
more ferocious affair. This time both men broke their swords but carried
on fighting in a "desperate struggle for life and honour".[8] Both were
wounded, Sheridan dangerously, being "borne from the field with a
portion of his antagonist's weapon sticking through an ear, his breast-
bone touched, his whole body covered with wounds and blood, and his
face nearly beaten to jelly with the hilt of Mathews' sword".[9] His
remarkable constitution pulled him through, and eight days after this
bloody affair the Bath Chronicle was able to announce that he was out of
danger. Mathews escaped in a post chaise.
Playwright[edit]
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In the same year, 1772, Richard Sheridan, at the age of 21, eloped with
and subsequently married Elizabeth Ann Linley and set up house in
London on a lavish scale with little money and no immediate prospects
of any—other than his wife's dowry. The young couple entered the
fashionable world and apparently held up their end in entertaining. In
1775 Sheridan's first play, The Rivals, was produced at London's Covent
Garden Theatre. It was a failure on its first night. Sheridan cast a more
capable actor in the lead for its second performance, and it was a huge
success which immediately established the young playwright's
reputation and the favour of fashionable London. It has gone on to
become a standard of English literature.
Shortly after the success of The Rivals, Sheridan and his father-in-
law Thomas Linley the Elder, a successful composer, produced the
opera, The Duenna. This piece was accorded such a warm reception
that it played for seventy-five performances.
His most famous play The School for Scandal (Drury Lane, 8 May 1777)
is considered one of the greatest comedies of manners in English. It was
followed by The Critic (1779), an updating of the satirical Restoration
play The Rehearsal.
Member of Parliament[edit]
In 1793 during the debates on the Aliens Act designed to prevent French
Revolutionary spies and saboteurs from flooding into the country,
Edmund Burke made a speech in which he claimed there were
thousands of French agents in Britain ready to use weapons against the
authorities. To dramatically emphasise his point he threw down a knife
onto the floor of the House of Commons. Sheridan is said to have
shouted out "Where's the fork?", which led to much of the house
collapsing in laughter.[14]
THEY, by a strange Frenzy driven, fight for Power, for Plunder, and
extended Rule—WE, for our Country, our Altars, and our Homes.—
THEY follow an ADVENTURER, whom they fear—and obey a Power
which they hate—WE serve a Monarch whom we love—a God whom we
adore...They call on us to barter all of Good we have inherited and
proved, for the desperate Chance of Something better which
they promise.—Be our plain Answer this: The Throne WE honour is the
PEOPLE'S CHOICE—the Laws we reverence are our brave Fathers'
Legacy—the Faith we follow teaches us to live in bonds of Charity with
all Mankind, and die with Hope of Bliss beyond the Grave. Tell
your Invaders this; and tell them too, we seek no Change; and, least of
all, such Change as they would bring us.[15]
Family life[edit]
He was twice married. He and his first wife Elizabeth had a son:
Elizabeth also had a daughter, Mary, born 30 March 1792 but fathered
by her lover, Lord Edward FitzGerald.[17] After Elizabeth's death,
Sheridan fulfilled his promise to look after Elizabeth and FitzGerald's
baby daughter. A nurse was employed to care for the child at
his Wanstead home.[18] The baby had a series of fits one evening in
October 1793, when she was 18 months old, dying before a doctor could
attend. She was interred beside her mother at Wells Cathedral.[19]
Works[edit]
The Rivals
St Patrick's Day
The Duenna
A Trip to Scarborough
The School for Scandal
The Camp
The Critic
The Glorious First of June
Pizarro
Clio's Protest (written 1771, published 1819)
Notes[edit]
1. ^ Thomas Sheridan Biography at James Boswell
Info; retrieved 30 June 2013.
2. ^ Jump up to:a b Rae 1897, p. 78.
3. ^ Campbell Ross, Ian (2004), "Sheridan , Frances
(1724–1766)", Oxford Dictionary of National
Biography, Oxford University Press, retrieved 2
September 2014
4. ^ Rae 1897a, pp. 87–88.
5. ^ Wheatley 2011, p. 19.
6. ^ Rae 1897, p. 79.
7. ^ "Bath, Wednesday July 8th", Bath
Chronicle, XII (612), p. 3, 9 July 1772 – via British
Newspaper Archive
8. ^ Steinmetz 1868, p. 17.
9. ^ Fintan O'Toole: A Traitor's Kiss
10. ^ The Oxford Companion to the Theatre, edited
by Phyllis Hartnoll, OUP (1951)
11. ^ The Oxford Dictionary of Quotations (1999) OUP
12. ^ http://www.bartleby.com/268/6/6.html
13. ^ John O'Connor Power, 'Irish Wit and Humour',
Time, 1890. p.480. The Making of an Orator, 1906,
pp. 187–194
14. ^ Arnold-Baker 1996, p. 393.
15. ^ Frank J. Klingberg and Sigurd B. Hustvedt
(eds.), The Warning Drum. The British Home Front
Faces Napoleon. Broadsides of 1803 (University of
California Press, 1944), pp. 93–94.
16. ^ Sheridan Plaque – Mayfair, London at English
Heritage. Retrieved 30 June 2013
17. ^ Chedzoy 1998, p. 278, 281.
18. ^ Chedzoy (1998), p. 297
19. ^ Chedzoy (1998), p. 298
20. ^ Jeffares, A. Norman (2008). "Sheridan, Richard
Brinsley (1751–1816)". Oxford Dictionary of National
Biography (online ed.). Oxford University Press.
Retrieved 19 June2015. (subscription or UK public
library membership required)
21. ^ Historic England. "Downe House
(1249949)". National Heritage List for England.
Retrieved 19 June 2015.
22. ^ Riendeau, Roger (1985), Mississauga, An
Illustrated History, Windsor Books
References[edit]
Further reading[edit]
External links[edit]
Wikisource has
original works
written by or about:
Richard Brinsley
Sheridan
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quotations related
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Wikimedia
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related to Richard
Brinsley Sheridan.
Political offices
Member of Parliament
Preceded by Succeeded by
for Westminster
Earl Percy 1806–1807 Lord Cochrane
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The Rivals (disambiguation).
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he Rivals
Mrs Malaprop
Miss Lydia languish
Faulkland
Acres
Sir Lucius O'Trigger
Fag
David
Coachman
Errand boy servants
Sir Anthony Absolute
Captain Jack Absolute
Julia
Lucy
Maid
17 January 1775
English
Comedy of manners
medy of manners by Richard Brinsley Sheridan in five acts which was first performed at Covent G
The story has been updated in numerous adaptions, including a 1935 musical in London and a 1
averick, with attribution.
Contents
1History
o 1.1Production
o 1.2Reception
2Characters
3Plot
4Adaptations
o 4.1Musical (1935)
o 4.2"Maverick" adaptation (1958)
o 4.3Television productions
o 4.4Jack Absolute Novels (2003-06)
5Biographical sources
6References
7External links
it]
eridan's first play. At the time, he was a young newlywed living in Bath. At Sheridan's insistence, u
zabeth Linley) had given up her career as a singer. This was proper for the wife of a "gentleman",
d have earned a substantial income as a performer. Instead, the Sheridans lived beyond their me
try and nobility with Eliza's singing (in private parties) and Richard's wit. Finally, in need of funds,
ould gain him the remuneration he desired in a short time: he began writing a play. He had over th
ys and poems, and among his papers were numerous unfinished plays, essays and political tract
h an ambitious project as this. In a short time, however, he completed The Rivals.
t]
t performed at Covent Garden, London, on 17 January 1775, with comedian Mary Bulkley as Julia
oth the public and the critics for its length, for its bawdiness and for the character of Sir Lucius O'T
played very badly. The actor, Lee, after being hit with an apple during the performance, stopped
By the pow'rs, is it personal? — is it me, or the matter?" Apparently, it was both. Sheridan immedia
t 11 days, rewrote the original (the Larpent manuscript) extensively, including a new preface in wh
see no reason why the author of a play should not regard a first night's audience as a candid and
of the public, at his last rehearsal. If he can dispense with flattery, he is sure at least of sincerity,
ude, he may rely upon the justness of the comment.
ogised for any impression that O'Trigger was intended as an insult to Ireland. Rewritten and with a
f O'Trigger, the play reopened on 28 January to significant acclaim. Indeed, it became a favourite
mand performances in ten years, and also in the Colonies (it was George Washington's favourite p
he repertoires of 19th-century companies in England and the US.
nsidered to be one of Sheridan's masterpieces, and the term malapropism was coined in referenc
ay. She was first played by Jane Green.
dit]
8th-century Bath, a town that was legendary for conspicuous consumption and fashion at the time
went there to "take the waters", which were believed to have healing properties. Bath society was
don, and hence it provides an ideal setting for the characters.
the two young lovers, Lydia and Jack. Lydia, who reads a lot of popular novels of the time, wants
her, Jack pretends to be "Ensign Beverley", a poor army officer. Lydia is enthralled with the idea
e of the objections of her guardian, Mrs. Malaprop, a moralistic widow. Mrs. Malaprop is the chief c
continual misuse of words that sound like the words she intends to use, but mean something com
ism was coined in reference to the character).
r suitors: Bob Acres (a somewhat buffoonish country gentleman), and Sir Lucius O'Trigger, an imp
ntleman. Sir Lucius pays Lucy to carry love notes between him and Lydia (who uses the name "De
ia" is actually Mrs. Malaprop.
Sir Anthony arrives suddenly in Bath. He has arranged a marriage for Jack, but Jack demurs, say
rel violently. But Jack soon learns through the gossip of Lucy and Fag that the marriage arranged
He makes a great show of submission to his father, and is presented to Lydia with Mrs. Malaprop'
at he is only posing as Sir Anthony's son. She annoys Mrs. Malaprop by loudly professing her ete
ecting "Jack Absolute".
and is in love with Julia, but he suffers from jealous suspicion. He is constantly fretting himself ab
quarrel foolishly, making elaborate and high-flown speeches about true love that satirise the rom
Lucius that another man ("Beverley") is courting the lady of Acres' choice (Lydia, though Sir Luciu
mediately declares that Acres must challenge "Beverley" to a duel and kill him. Acres goes along,
espite his own rather more pacifist feelings, and the profound misgivings of his servant David. Sir
cres tells him of his intent. Jack agrees to deliver the note to "Beverley", but declines to be Acres'
n presents Jack to Lydia, but this time with Sir Anthony present, exposing Jack's pose as "Beverl
cturing of her romantic dreams, and spurns Jack contemptuously.
learned of the proposed marriage of Jack and Lydia, and determines to challenge Jack. He meet
a's rejection, agrees to fight him without even knowing the reason. They will meet at the same tim
Beverley".
nd, Acres is very reluctant to fight, but Sir Lucius will have no shirking. Jack and Faulkland arrive
ly his friend Jack, and begs off from their duel. However, Jack is quite willing to fight Sir Lucius, a
Malaprop, Lydia, Julia, and Sir Anthony of the duel, and they all rush off to stop it. Sir Lucius expl
ydia denies any connection to him, and admits her love for Jack. Mrs. Malaprop announces that s
rror, realising that he has been hoaxed. Sir Anthony consoles Mrs. Malaprop, Julia is reconciled t
one to a party.
[edit]
)[edit]
al production of The Rivals with songs by Herbert Hughes and lyrics by John Robert Monsell was
at London's Novelty Theatre in September 1935. The Novelty Theatre had a few other names bu
ay Theatre. Queen Mary attended one of the performances.[4]
aptation (1958)[edit]
erick
ick
ten as a 1958 episode of the television series Maverick, starring James Garner and Roger Moore
es in which Garner and Moore appeared together (Moore did not play "Beau Maverick," Bret Mave
ft the series). Patricia "Pat" Crowley portrays the leading lady. The episode was called "The Rival
en due credit.
oductions[edit]
ted for Australian television in 1961.
a version which was broadcast in 1970 as part of their Play of the Month series, starring Jeremy
e Novels (2003-06)[edit]
ter of the play was taken to be the identity of the hero of a series of historic fictional adventure bo
Humphreys. They take place in Cornwall, London, Quebec, the American colonies during both th
can Revolution, and Portugal.
l sources[edit]
Richard Brinsley Sheridan, The Rivals (New Mermaids 1979, Elizabeth Duthie, Ed.).
Linda Kelly, Richard Brinsley Sheridan, A Life (Sinclair-Stevenson 1997).
Brooke Allen, The Scholar of Scandal, a review of Fintan O’Toole, The Traitor's Kiss: The Li
Brinsley Sheridan, 1751–1816 (Farrar, Straus & Giroux 1998), at New Criterion.
Richard Brinsley Sheridan (1751–1816) at Theatre History.
edit]
1. ^ Dramatis Personæ
2. ^ The Dramatic Works of Richard Brinsley Sheridan at the Internet Archive. Oxford University Press 193
Joseph Knight p10. Retrieved 28 June 2013.
3. ^ Oxford Dictionary of National Biography: Bulkley née Wilford; other married name Barresford, Mary, b
4. ^ Rosing, Ruth Glean. Val Rosing: Musical Genius. pg. 123, Manhattan: Sunflower University Press (19
ks[edit]
ia
s has media
The
The play was reworked as one of three plot strands in a 1982 revival
by Alan Ayckbourn, with the action taking place in the Royal
Hotel, Scarborough. The first performance was on 8 December that
year. It is a technically demanding piece as the actors are required to
take on several roles, with quick changes between scenes as the play
switches from the 18th century to World War II to the present
day.[2]Ayckbourn updated the production when it returned to the Stephen
Joseph Theatre in the town during 2007-2008.[3]
The play proved to be a hit. It was the most performed work at the Drury
Lane Theatre during the 1778-1779 season, comfortably beating School
for Scandal.[2]
References
The Critic: or, a Tragedy Rehearsed is a satire by Richard Brinsley
Sheridan. It was first staged at Drury Lane Theatre in 1779. It is
a burlesque on stage acting and play production conventions, and
Sheridan considered the first act to be his finest piece of writing. One of
its major roles, Sir Fretful Plagiary, is a comment on the vanity of
authors, and in particular a caricature of the dramatist Richard
Cumberland who was a contemporary of Sheridan.
The Glorious First of June is a 1794 play by Richard Brinsley
Sheridan. It depicts the Glorious First of June, a British naval victory
over the French that took place on 1 June 1794 during the French
Revolutionary War. It premiered on 2 July 1794 at the Drury Lane
theatre, and was based on newspaper accounts of the battle. It contains
a debate on the question of naval patriotism – a key issue at the time.
The profits made from the play were donated to the families of those
killed in the battle.[1]
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Study
Guide
Analyzing
the
Characters
in “The
Rivals” by
Richard
Sheridan
Literature Study Guides and Chapter
Sir Anthony
Absolute:
The Wealthy
Baronet
Considered one of the most flirtatious men in
the latter.
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Lydia: A
Wealthy
Heiress and
Lover of Jack
A frivolous young woman infatuated with
Mrs.
Malaprop:
Lydia’s Legal
Guardian
The archetypal hard, proper woman, Mrs.
spin on them.
Minor
Characters
Though not necessarily as important, the
minor characters are still key components to
the play’s satirical message. They engage in
References
Sheridan, Richard. The Rivals.