Synopses & Reviews
Two beautifully crafted dramas set among the folk of the Aran Islands and western Irish coastlands. The Playboy of the Western World deals with its young hero's progress, in the eyes of others, from timid weakling to paragon of bravery. Riders to the Sea is a dark elegy to the fragile existence of those who live at the mercy of the sea. Reprinted from authoritative editions, complete with Synge's preface to The Playboy of the Western World. New introductory Note.
Synopsis
The plays of John Millington Synge (1871 1909) are filled with the humors, sorrows, and dreams of the country folk of the Aran Islands and the western Irish coastlands, where, in Synge's works, "we have a popular imagination that is fiery and magnificent, and tender." The Playboy of the Western World, his most famous play, is sweetly funny and ironic as it follows its young hero's progress, in the eyes of others, from timid weakling to paragon of bravery.
The shorter one-act play, Riders to the Sea, is a dark elegy to the fragile existence of those who live at the mercy of the sea. Both are beautifully crafted dramas that celebrate Irish gifts for lyrical language. They are reprinted here from authoritative editions, complete with Synge's preface to The Playboy of the Western World.
"
Synopsis
Two lyrical dramas of the folk of the Aran Islands and western Irish coastlands.
Synopsis
Two dramas set among the folk of the Aran Islands and western Irish coastlands. The Playboy of the Western World deals with a hero's progress, from timid weakling to paragon of bravery. Riders to the Sea is an elegy to those who live at the mercy of the sea. Includes Synge's preface to The Playboy of the Western World.
Synopsis
Two dramas set among the folk of the Aran Islands and western Irish coastlands. The Playboy of the Western World deals with a hero's progress, from timid weakling to paragon of bravery. Riders to the Sea is an elegy to those who live at the mercy of the sea. Includes Synge's preface to The Playboy of the Western World.