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The Rivals

By Richard Brinsley Sheridan
Series: New Mermaids
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Check link for latest rating. ( 2,808 ratings, 137 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
The Rivals (1775) is a witty and satirical comedy by Richard Brinsley Sheridan that counters the sentimental comedy trend of the eighteenth century. It centres on a suave young officer, pressured by his father to marry the girl he secretly loves, and his neurotic friend Faulkland, who creates numerous conditions before marrying the earnest Julia. The play's cast also includes a foppish country squire, an impetuous Irishman, and the linguistically challenged Mrs Malaprop.

This edition features the original preface, various prologues, and an appendix listing fashionable books and songs mentioned by the characters.
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Format: Paperback / softback
$2499
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

The Rivals is ideal for readers interested in classic theatre, eighteenth-century comedy, and lovers of sharp wit and memorable characters. It appeals especially to those who appreciate satirical takes on societal manners and language humour.

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A major new edition which brings a modern approach to the Introduction and text.

A favourite 18th century playFrequently a set text for English and Drama coursesPart of the successful New Mermaids series

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

Both Sheridan and Goldsmith lamented the popularity of sentimental comedy in the later eighteenth century and wrote their witty and satirical plays (though never lascivious in the manner of Restoration comedies) to counteract the sentimental mode.

The Rivals (1775) was a qualified success: the suave young officer who is ‘forced’ by his father to marry the very girl to whom he is secretly engaged must always please; but first audiences were as uncertain as later critics about how to evaluate his neurotic friend Faulkland, who invents a series of caveats for his marriage to the earnest Julia.

A country squire who becomes alarmingly foppish in town, an impetuous Irishman and the linguistically challenged Mrs Malaprop complete the cast. This edition includes the original preface and several prologues; in an appendix, it lists all the fashionable books and songs to which the characters allude.

Series: New Mermaids

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Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Michael Billington, Guardian calls it "Sheridan's 1775 comic masterpiece," noting its return to fashion after years of neglect. Charles Spencer, Daily Telegraph describes it as a "delightful comedy" with "wonderfully rich and elegant" humour accompanied by sudden glimpses of deeper emotion. Georgina Brown, Mail on Sunday praises Mrs Malaprop's iconic misuse of language, which has become ingrained in English culture. John Peter, Sunday Times highlights its affectionate satire of English life and themes around maturity and romantic fantasy.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780713667653

Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 20 October 2004

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Methuen Drama

Edition: 2nd edition

Illustration: 6 b/w photos

Contributors:

  • Edited by Dr Tiffany Stern
  • Volume editor Dr Tiffany Stern

Audience: General / adult, Tertiary education

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 12.0mm

Width: 130.0mm

Height: 196.0mm

Weight: 166g

Pages: 192

Collections

Arts & Culture Non-Fiction Richard Brinsley Sheridan Series: New Mermaids

About the Author

Dr Tiffany Stern is a former Research Fellow of Merton College, Oxford,and is currently Senior Lecturer ar Oxford Brookes University.

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