Sheridan, Painter of his Time

An Essay about Richard Brinsley Sheridan, Irish dramatist and politician during the 18th century. The book analyzes how he fits into his time, how he describes the idle Society in Bath - the town of waters. Sheridan pictures with wit the vices of his contemporaries, be it about love, gaming, cheating or simply passing time... in his famous plays like The School for Scandal or The Rivals.

Annie Zwobada also enlightens us about Sheridan's role in politics: as an MP, he was much celebrated for his oratory.

Satire, comedy of manners... Bath was then the Capital of good taste but life was frivolous there. Coquettes and duellers were to be found in abundance.

The present essay was written in 1950 as a work to obtain an English-teacher's Diploma in France. This lively piece takes us back to the times of Burke, Smollett, Fox, and the French Revolution. Sheridan's realistic sketches are of value for posterity and, indeed, he proves a good "painter".