English literature the book is designed to acquaint students with the main outlines

Richard Brinsley Sheriidan (1751-1816)

Sheridan was a dramatist and politician. He produced several memorable comedies and was an excellent speaker in the British Parliament. At one time he was Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs and Secretary to the Treasury.

Sheridan was born in Dublin. In his early 20’s he wrote his comedy “The Rivals” (1775), showing an ease and mastery which in a first play was almost incredible. Sheridan’s finest play, one of the great comedies of English drama “The School for Scandal” was written in 1777. This play exposes society people who love malicious gossip and does it with glittering wit. Here the author creates contrasting characters of a careless but kind young man,

Charles Surface, and his cunning and selfish brother Joseph.

Sheridan’s next work is “The Critic”, a short satiric play, written in 1779. In this work Sheridan wittily criticizes theatrical fashions. His other plays: the farce “St. Patrick’s Day” and a comic opera “The Duenna” were written in 1775. The main memory from his plays is of the verbal dexterity and the laughter which his well- planned scenes can create. Distinctive his comedy undoubtedly is, though its quality cannot easily be described. Often its elements seem reminiscent, and yet the whole is strikingly individual. He was sufficiently realistic to portray the late eighteenth century as no other dramatist had done, yet with the quality of romance. He is unembarrassed by any message, unless it be that the generous and open-hearted spirit is in life the most commendable. It may be that the recognition of this quality has added to the enjoyment which successive generations of audiences have found in his plays. Later George Byron remarked of Sheridan in these words: “He has made the best speech and written the best comedy, the best opera and the best farce in English literature”.

In 1780 he was elected to the British Parliament, and until 1812, he devoted himselfto politics. Some of Sheridan’:»politica! speeches delivered within this period are regarded as a classical example of English oratory art. His political life influenced his creative work and in 1799 Sheridan wrote his last play ‘ Pizarro”. It was a political tragedy.