Introduction

The Rivals, a comedy of manners by Anglo-Irish playwright Richard Brinsley Sheridan, first charmed audiences in London in 1775. As is typical for this genre, this play involves intricate romantic complications, often featuring mistaken identities, witty banter, and a resolution that unites deserving couples through a series of comical mishaps.

Set in the fashionable resort town of Bath, England, the play cleverly exposes the social pretensions and romantic entanglements of the landed gentry. Sheridan skewers societal expectations around love, marriage, and class through witty dialogue and hilariously nervous characters.

Plot Summary

In the opening scenes of The Rivals, the servants Thomas and Fag discuss a web of secret identities and forbidden love. Captain Absolute, disguised as lowly Ensign Beverley, is smitten with the wealthy Lydia Languish. Absolute has rightly determined that Lydia, influenced by her romantic novels, would only desire a man of poorer means. Furthermore, Lydia's formidable Aunt Malaprop disapproves of Lydia marrying beneath her station.

The play shifts to Lydia confiding in her cousin Julia. Lydia is devastated that her secret letters with Ensign Beverly were discovered, and she has been grounded. Julia assures Lydia that true love would not give up so easily. Their conversation then turns to Julia's relationship struggles with the perpetually indecisive Faulkland. Soon, news arrives that Sir Anthony, Captain Absolute's domineering father, has just arrived in Bath.

Ill feelings arise between Mrs. Malaprop and Lydia as the aunt scolds her niece for refusing the suitor, Mr. Acres, a good-natured country squire. Mrs. Malaprop insists Lydia forget Beverley, but the young woman defiantly clings to her feelings.

...Our memories are independent of our wills. It is not so easy to forget.

Sir Anthony and Mrs. Malaprop hatch a plan. Sir Anthony will write to his son and propose a marriage to Lydia. He is confident his son will obey without question. Mrs. Malaprop will pressure Lydia into accepting him.

Mrs. Malaprop is secretly relieved to be free of Lydia's influence on her own romantic entanglement with Sir Lucius O'Trigger, a retired Irish soldier.

However, another twist emerges. Lucy, Lydia's seemingly simple maid, has been playing all sides for personal gain. She has been collecting money from Lydia, Sir Anthony, Mr. Acres, and even Sir Lucius in exchange for "services" that often involve lying or withholding information.

Elsewhere, Captain Absolute and his servant, Fag, Faulkland, and Acres, discuss the goings on in Bath. Acres says that Julia has been healthy and in good spirits. Faulkland misinterprets this as a sign of Julia's lack of affection for him. He becomes increasingly agitated as Acres describes Julia's participation in the social scene. Faulkland storms off, leaving Absolute and Acres to discuss Acres' plans to impress Lydia, unaware of Captain Absolute's convoluted scheme to woo the young woman.

Sir Anthony arrives unexpectedly and shares his plan to set Captain Absolute up with a wealthy heiress he does not name in exchange for a large estate. Captain Absolute is horrified as his heart belongs to another woman.

Then, sir, I must tell you plainly that my inclinations are fixed on another— my heart is engaged to an angel.

Sir Anthony becomes increasingly frustrated at his son's refusal. He threatens disinheritance if he does not comply, and he gives Captain Absolute a deadline to consider the offer.

Captain Absolute is left bewildered by his father's forceful methods and wonders about the identity of the unwanted bride.

Later, Sir Anthony is still fuming about his son's defiance but is mollified when Captain Absolute feigns repentance and willingness to submit to his wishes.

Sir Anthony says the bride...