The Rivals - A Play Analysis
In The Rivals written by Richard Brinsley Sheridan, the author uses conflicts and debates in order to demonstrate situations in which conflicts between the characters of the play result in the characters also becoming rivals with themselves. The premise for the conflict between characters is the deception in their relationships, which not only causes hostility among one another, but also within themselves, forcing characters to become "subject more fit for ridicule than compassion." Captain Jack Absolute, because of his deep love, is the cause of his own problems, for he is unable to simultaneously accommodate his father, Sir Absolute, and his love, Lydia Languish. Lydia, in search of an ideal romance, causes her own troubles, as her skewed view of love perplexes the situation. Lucy, the servant, through her greed and feelings of opportunism, further complexes the situation in attempting to gain from the struggles of others. In The Rivals, Richard Brinsley Sheridan uses satirical conflicts between Captain Jack Absolute, Lydia Languish, and Lucy to demonstrate how each character is the source of his or her problems, resulting in situations where they become subjects "more fit for ridicule th
Malaprop warns Lucy not to betray her and give information to anyone else, however, Lucy, with her sense of greed, goes and releases many details. In The Rivals, Richard Brinsley Sheridan uses the characters of Captain Jack Absolute, Lydia Languish, and Lucy to illustrate how characters find themselves in situations in which they are their own rivals. Greedily, Lucy takes letters for delivery from Acres and never gives them to the receiver, Lydia. Captain Absolute's servant, Fag, provides insight to Jack's feelings when he notes how his master, ". "Captain Jack Absolute causes conflict within himself, becoming a "subject more fit for ridicule than compassion," as his inability to make decisions results in further complexion both of the plot and in his relationships with Sir Absolute and Lydia Languish. However, I shall not enter his name till my purse has received notice in form," demonstrates how she uses her life behind the scenes to deceive and trick others in order to fulfill her feelings of greed (Sheridan 22). Unaware that her quest for an ideal relationship had altered her sense of judgment, Lydia initiated problems and conflicts herself, becoming "more fit for ridicule than compassion. Lucy, with her greed and opportunistic ways, dubiously twists the plot further as she causes problems for others and becomes her own rival through her treacherous ways. Using her status as a servant to Lydia, Lucy is able to reveal and disclose information to different characters, affecting the movement of the plot and the end result of conflicts.
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