Description
By: Richard Brinsley Sheridan (1751-1816)
The Rivals is a classic comedy of manners that satirizes the social norms and conventions of 18th century England. Written by Richard Brinsley Sheridan, the play follows the absurd romantic entanglements of several characters as they navigate love, honor, and class distinctions.
Sheridan’s sharp wit and clever dialogue shine through in this play, creating memorable characters and hilarious situations. The interactions between various couples, including the bumbling Sir Lucius O’Trigger and the headstrong Lydia Languish, provide plenty of laughs and entertainment.
While the plot may be somewhat convoluted at times, the overall message about the futility of false appearances and superficiality is clear. The Rivals ultimately serves as a witty critique of societal norms and expectations, making it a timeless and enjoyable read for fans of classic literature.
Overall, The Rivals is a delightful comedy that showcases Sheridan’s talent for satire and humor. With its memorable characters and witty dialogue, this play is sure to entertain and amuse readers for generations to come.
Book Description:
The play is set in Bath in the 18th century, a town legendary for conspicuous consumption and fashion at the time. Wealthy, fashionable people went there to “take the waters”, which were believed to have healing properties. The plot centres on the two young lovers, Lydia and Jack. Lydia, who reads a lot of popular novels of the time, wants a purely romantic love affair. To court her, Jack pretends to be “Ensign Beverley”, a poor officer. Lydia is enthralled with the idea of eloping with a poor soldier in spite of her guardian, Mrs. Malaprop, a moralistic widow. Mrs. Malaprop is the chief comic figure of the play, thanks to her continual misuse of words that sound like the words she intends but mean something completely different. (The term malapropism was coined in reference to the character.) Lydia has two other suitors: Bob Acres (a somewhat buffoonish country gentleman), and Sir Lucius O’Trigger, an impoverished and combative Irish gentleman. Sir Lucius pays Lucy to carry love notes between him and Lydia (who uses the name “Delia”), but Lucy is swindling him: “Delia” is actually Mrs. Malaprop.
