Books by Richard Brinsley Sheridan

Author names not noted above: Oliver Goldsmith, Percy Bysshe Shelley, Robert Browning, and Lord Byron.Originally published between 1909 and 1917 under the name "Harvard Classics," this stupendous 51-volume set-a collection of the greatest writings from literature, philosophy, history, and mythology-was assembled by American academic CHARLES WILLIAM ELIOT (1834-1926), Harvard University's longest-serving president. Also known as "Dr. Eliot's Five Foot Shelf," it represented Eliot's belief that a basic liberal education could be gleaned by reading from an anthology of works that could fit on five feet of bookshelf.Volume XVIII features six of the greatest plays of 17th-, 18th-, and 19th-century England writers:¿ All for Love, the Shakespearean tragedy by JOHN DRYDEN (1631-1700)¿ The School for Scandal, the comedy of manners by RICHARD BRINSLEY SHERIDAN (1751-1816)¿ She Stoops to Conquer, the satire by OLIVER GOLDSMITH (1730-1774)¿ The Cenci, the controversial verse drama by PERCY BYSSHE SHELLEY (1792-1822)¿ A Blot in the 'Scutcheon, the tragedy by ROBERT BROWNING (1812-1889)¿ Manfred, the supernatural drama by LORD BYRON (1788-1824)

The plot centres on the two young lovers, Lydia and Jack. Lydia, who reads a lot of popular novels of the time, wants a purely romantic love affair. To court her, Jack pretends to be "Ensign Beverley", a poor army officer. Lydia is enthralled with the idea of eloping with a poor soldier in spite of the objections of her guardian, Mrs. Malaprop, a moralistic widow. 4 women, 8 men

Richly exploited comic situations, effervescent wit, and intricate plots combine to make Sheridan's work among the best of all English comedy. This edition includes his most famous plays, The Rivals, The School for Scandal, and The Critic, and two lesser known musical plays, The Duenna and A Trip to Scarborough. A fine introduction and notes on Sheridan's playhouses and critical inheritance make this an invaluable editionfor study and performance alike.

Sheridan's most successful play, often considered the apex of English comedy.

In The School for Scandal, Sheridan's artificial world of heightened wit and heightened folly delights its audience, but at times it engages them with moments of human pain and happiness, before delivering them back to its comedy.