The School for Scandal and Other Plays

by Richard Brinsley Sheridan, Eric S. Rump (Introduction)

The three plays collected in this volume demonstrate Sheridan's unerring ability to create unrivalled comedy out of ingenious plots, witty repartee, farcical situations and flamboyant characters. And while he never overtly moralizes, Sheridan uses brilliant comedy to deflate hypocrisy and satirize the manners of his age. In The Rivals, Captain Absolute becomes his own rival for the hand of Lydia Languish - wooing her under another name, while her aunt, the verbally inept Mrs Malaprop, wishes her to marry the real Captain. School for Scandal continues the theme of imposture when Sir Oliver tests his nephews by appearing to them in disguise, and learns that reputation and the approval of society are of little value. And The Critic, featuring the pompous Puff and the arrogant Sneer, is a mocking depiction of the theatre, playwrights and, of course, critics.

Genres: Plays, Drama, 18th Century, Classics, Fiction

292 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 27, 2004

About the author

Richard Brinsley Sheridan (1751-1816) was an Irish-born playwright and poet and long-term owner of the London Theatre Royal, Drury Lane. For thirty-two years he was also a Whig Member of the British House of Commons for Stafford (1780–1806), Westminster (1806–1807) and Ilchester (1807–1812). Such was the esteem he was held in by his contemporaries when he died that he was buried at Poets' Corner in Westminster Abbey. He is known for his plays such as The Rivals, The School for Scandal and A Trip to Scarborough.

Reviews

[Randee Baty · Rating 5 out of 5]

This play starts out with a scene between Lady Sneerwell and Snake, discussing the malicious stories they are planting about other members of society. You have no doubt what kind of play you are getting yourself into with a beginning like this. This is a comedy of manners and "manners" are pretty much the last thing most of the characters have.

If you've never seen or read a classic British comedy of manners they all have a few things in common. They center around the behaviors, good and more often bad, of the upper class. They have lots of plots and subplots interweaving. They have to do with amorous adventures and they don't always end with people getting their just deserts. Some times, the wicked aren't punished. (See The Country Wife for a good example of that.) They are funny and enjoyable to watch.

Joseph Surface wants to marry Maria for her fortune but he wants to look like a good guy so he makes himself known as a "man of sentiment" which seems to mean that he goes around quoting proverbs all the time. Maria wants to marry his brother Charles Surface, who is known as a profligate and all-around bad boy. Lady Sneerwell want Charles, even though he is a bad boy. Sir Peter Teazle, a bit of an older fellow, has married Lady Teazle who is younger and quite pretty. She thinks that Joseph wants her because he is trying to get on her good side so she won't oppose the match between him and Maria, who happens to be the Teazles' ward. Lady Teazle mistakes his intentions and thinks he wants her so she begins a flirtation with him. Sir Peter, however, thinks she's carrying on with Charles because of a letter planted by Snake. Sound confusing? It's really not when you read or watch it but you see what I mean about plots and subplots. It's just a lot of fun. As it turns out, the Surface brothers have a rich uncle who returns from India in disguise to see which of them is worthy of inheriting his fortune.

There are intrigues, disguises, concealments, big reveals, everything a playgoer could hope for. But there are a few moments when characters have to make big decisions based on their principles that are turning points in the play. Charles as one and so does Lady Teazle. Whether they choose to be true to themselves or follow the fashion of the day changes the direction of the story. It's very satisfying. I'd love to see this one performed live some day. For me, this is as good as classic British drama gets.

[Valerie · Rating 4 out of 5]

All three of these were excellent, much funnier than Congreve and Molière.

[Jack Heller · Rating 4 out of 5]

A couple months ago, I discovered I had two copies of this with slightly different covers. I suspect I bought this around the time that The School for Scandal was on stage at the Stratford Festival. Having just finished reading the play, I think I saw the performance, but I don't remember much about it.

These plays focus on wit and manners more than on plot and character development. Characters are named for types. The plays anticipate Oscar Wilde. With the exception of the scene of discovery in The School for Scandal, most scenes consist of witty banter. Of the three plays, I most enjoyed The School for Scandal.

[Abbey]

Read for English 412: Jane Austen’s Bookshelf