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British Drama

Notes under Fox’s patronage in 1780, and two years later became Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs in
Rockingham’s Ministry. His great speech (1787) impeaching Hastings for his treatment of the Begums
placed him in the front rank of orators. But although he sat for 32 years in Parliament, only once
again reached the same height of eloquence in a speech (1794) supporting the French Revolution,
and generally failed to establish himself as a reliable statesman. Meanwhile his theatrical venture
had ended disastrously, and other financial troubles thickening around him, he died in poverty,
but was accorded a burial in Westminster Abbey. This unit elaborates the details of his life since
birth till his death.
The School for Scandal opened at the Drury Lane Theatre in London, England, in May of 1777. It was
an enormous success. Reviews heralded the play as a “real comedy” that would supplant the
sentimental dramas that had filled the stage in the previous years. While wildly popular in the
eighteenth century, the play has not been as successful with contemporary audiences. One significant
problem is the anti-semitism that runs throughout the play. Other factor that makes it unsuccessful
with contemporary audiences is that the play appears artificial in the characters’ speech, dress, and
motivations.
This unit also elaborates the text, drawbacks and problems of the play in detail. More emphasis is
given on the detailed analysis of the text.

18.1 Richard Sheridan—Introduction

Sheridan, Richard Brinsley (1751–1816), the son of an Irish actor, Sheridan achieved fame as both
dramatist and politician. Sheridan’s major works were all produced before entering Parliament in
1780: The Rivals (1775), The Duenna (1775), The School for Scandal (1777), and The Critic (1779). Sheridan
was a superb political orator, achieving fame during the campaign against Warren Hastings; one
memorable speech, on 8 February 1787, lasted an astonishing 5 hours and 40 minutes. For all his
ability, Sheridan never attained cabinet rank, and served only as under-secretary at the Foreign
Office (1782), Treasury secretary (1783), and treasurer of the navy (1806-7). Mutual antagonism
between Sheridan and Burke contributed to the disintegration of the Whig Party in the 1790s, with
Sheridan flaunting his admiration for the French principles Burke despised. He died in straitened
circumstances, caused partly by losses incurred from his involvement with Drury Lane theatre.

18.1.1 Biography

Birth
Richard Brinsley Sheridan, (baptized November 4, 1751, Dublin, Ireland—died July 7, 1816, London,
England) was born in Dublin, Ireland, on October 30, 1751. His father, Thomas, was an actor and
theater manager; his mother, Frances, was the author of novels and plays. The family moved to
London in 1758, and Sheridan was educated at Harrow (1762–1768). His first publication, a joint
effort with a school friend, N.B. Halhead, was a metrical translation of Aristaenatus (1771). With
this friend Sheridan also wrote his first play, a farce called Jupiter, which was rejected by both
David Garrick and Samuel Foote.

Childhood and the Family

Sheridan was the third son of Thomas and Frances Sheridan. His grandfather Thomas Sheridan had
been a companion and confidant of Jonathan Swift; his father was the author of a pronouncing
dictionary and the advocate of a scheme of public education that gave a prominent place to elocution;
and his mother gained some fame as a playwright.
The family moved to London, and Sheridan never returned to Ireland. He was educated (1762–68)
at Harrow, and in 1770 he moved with his family to Bath. There Sheridan fell in love with Elizabeth

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