The School for Scandal

Introduction:

The School for Scandal by Richard Brinsley Sheridan is a comedy of manners. This play
satirizes the deeds and customs of upper classes brought out through a witty exchange of ideas.
The School for Scandal is set or brought to the public attention at the Drury Lane Theatre in
London, in May, 1777. The play marked as an enormous success to Sheridan. The genre of the
play is a comedy, which is usually a light, rather amusing, play that deals with contemporary
issues in our daily lives. It is a drama with a satirical angle. However, it concludes happily.
Sheridan used this comic as a way of correcting social absurdities.

Charles and Joseph surface:

Major part of this play is rich of characters with humorous explanations. Charles Surface
who is a youthful bachelor not respectable for his luxury, indulgence, very generous, and he
loves a woman known as Maria. On the other hand, there are two antagonists (villains), Joseph
Surface and Lady Sneerwell. Joseph Surface is a person who pretends to be an honorable man
who is in the real sense is a villain double-dealer. Lady Sneerwell as antagonist plots with Joseph
Surface to ensure that Maria and Charles break up.

Themes of the play:

There are various themes presented in the play such as defamation of character
whereby Sheridan with the aim of bringing out his principal theme of comedy, he employs the
act of criticism. Another theme is the theme of Hypocrisy whereby Joseph Surface pretends to
be an honorable man while he tries to damage his brother’s affairs with Maria.

There is also the theme of Deceptive appearance, and this is brought out clearly through
Charles Surface who is considered a scoundrel double-dealer who in reality is an upright man,
and supremely a decent fellow. Finally, there is the theme of consequences of Idleness , which
is an implied theme within the play. Most of the characters live on inherent property and money,
and such a kind of idleness is the leading cause of their mischief. They engage mostly in telling
and listening to scandalous stories, as well as gambling and drinking amongst the youths.
Climax of the play:

The climax of the play occurs towards the end of Act 5 after Rowley introduces Snake
through a warm welcome. Snake and Lady Teazle then give a evidence against Lady Sneerwell,
and this implies that they are against Joseph. Through this honest acknowledgment, we see Lady
Teazle throwing herself on Sir Peter’s mercy.

Aim of the play:

The major aim of Sheridan’s play was to create a caricature (picture) of his own time
and society by using comic characters from civilized urban society.

Conclusion

Sheridan’s play can be considered as a hallmark of witty and sparkling dialogue

through amusing characters, cheerful and ridiculous situations, funny intrigues (plots), sharp
social satire, human faults and the penetrating insight of human relationship. In short, the play is
full of epigrams (wittiness), and aphorism (saying), and this is shown through Sheridan’s
epigrammatic dialogue, which creates comic suspense. Most importantly, The School for
Scandals can be considered as a blend of satire and compassion rather than a play that exposes
scandals.