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 o f 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 o f 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 o f this
quality
has added to the enjoyment
which successive generations of audiences have found in his plays.
Later George Byron remarked o f 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 o f 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.
Questions and Tasks
1. By whom were the foundations of early realism laid in English
literature?
2. Who was the greatest representative of realism in the 18lh
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