Deirdre of the sorrows;: A play

by J.M. Synge

J M Synge (1871 1909) was an Irish poet and playwright. He participated in the founding of the Abbey Theatre. Deirdre of the Sorrows is a three-act play, first performed at the Abbey Theatre by the Irish National Theatre Society in 1910. The play is based on Irish myth concerning Deirdre and Conchobar. The work was unfinished at the author's death in 1909. William Butler Yeats and Synge's widow, Molly Allgood completed the work. The story begins with Conchubor charging Lavarcham with raising Deirdre to be his queen, but she is a willful girl with no interest in marrying an old man. When she was born, Cathbad the druid prophesied that she would be very beautiful, with twisted yellow tresses and mesmerizing grey-green eyes, but that kings and lords would go to war over her, and Ulster's three greatest warriors would be forced into exile for her sake. Deirdre is aware of the prophecy that she will be the doom of the sons of Usna, but nonetheless she asks Naisi to take her away from Ulster. He agrees, and Ainnle weds them in an impromptu ceremony.

Genres: Plays, Irish Literature, Drama, Theatre, Ireland, Classics, Literature

Hardcover

First published January 1, 1910

About the author

Edmund John Millington Synge (pronounced /sɪŋ/) was an Irish playwright, poet, prose writer, and collector of folklore. He was one of the cofounders of the Abbey Theatre. He is best known for the play The Playboy of the Western World, which caused riots during its opening run at the Abbey theatre. Synge wrote many well known plays, including "Riders to the Sea", which is often considered to be his strongest literary work.

Although he came from an Anglo-Irish background, Synge's writings are mainly concerned with the world of the Roman Catholic peasants of rural Ireland and with what he saw as the essential paganism of their world view.

Reviews

[J.E. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This drama based on the Irish tale of Deirdre hits all the right notes in the legend. I enjoyed the dramatization of the tragedy and found it more stage-worthy than the Yeats' version (although I adore Yeats). The use of the three-act structure allowed the observer to follow the details of the story with ease. I would enjoy seeing this on stage, as that is always a more preferable way to evaluate a play. However, the justification for Deirdre and Naoise to return to the king remains as weak as in the original versions of the tale. Why do these lovers willingly seek death? Synge posits that they are reluctant to grow old and risk losing the love they share. Deirdre also is tired of wandering and misses Ireland. It seems that, in remaining true to the original, romance must bow to tragedy. Deirdre, ever sorrowful, heeds the call.

[Sofía Sierra · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favourite plays from this day-on. This was absolutely heartbreaking.

[Adela Jeon · Rating 2 out of 5]

There was a lot going on in this play...

Though there were certainly aspects of literary value in Synge’s writing, especially in respects to Irish mythology, I was mainly left with overwhelming feelings of confusion and disappointment at the end. Why do Deirdre and Naisi want to be oppressed so badly lol.... they are just DYING to be star-crosses lovers (no pun intended haha)!

[Meery ✨ · Rating 2 out of 5]

Though I dont want to criticise Synge (I know he was sensitive to critics) I m left with many doubts: why do Deirdre and Naisi came to Emain when they are sure they are going to die? Why Deirdre stopped Naisi to help his brothers? The ending was quite predictable and characters like Conchubor extremely annoying. Someday I will re read it and perhaps change opinion. Someday.

[Dalia hassan · Rating 4 out of 5]

مأساة تقليدية معروفة النهاية مكتوبة حلو
سلوك الشخصيات مستفز جدا ف استسلامهم لحاجة ممكن يغيروها بسهوله
المسرحيه كانت مركزة اكتر ف النهايه من انها تقولي امتى العلاقه بين نايزي وديدري اتطورت كدة وليه الملك كونشبور كان له الوصايه على ديدري !

[Stephen A. Matthews · Rating 5 out of 5]

A tragic play about a beautiful young women, Deirdre, who was raised to be queen of Ulster. This is story of love/trust, friendship/betrayal, destiny/fate, etc. This was a very well written play and while predictable it was an enjoyable read.

[سلوان البري · Rating 5 out of 5]

الحزن لعنة إما أن يولد بها الإنسان.. وإما أن تهدىٰ إليه من الآخرين.
وكان قدر ديدري في الثانية!

فتاة الأحزان..مسرحية مأساوية عن فتاة حطمها المجتمع -فقط- لحسنها واختلافها عن مثيلاتها من الفتيات!

[Margret Fullded · Rating 3 out of 5]

J'ai lu la traduction française de cette belle tragédie par Malika B. Durif. Je pense que le ton général est conservé, mais je souhaiterais le lire en version originale pour une plus grande musicalité

[Ikonopeiston · Rating 4 out of 5]

I own this as a separate volume, found long ago at a used book store and treasured ever since.

It is perhaps the best retelling of the story I have ever read.

[HCE · Rating 3 out of 5]

a play a day keeps the sorrows at bay, 3,5

“and if the oaks and stars could die for sorrow, it’s a dark sky and a hard and naked earth we’d have this night in Emain”