George Farquhar

The Recruiting Officer (eBook, ePUB)

Love, Deception, and Military Recruitment: A Restoration Comedy of Wit and Satire

• Format: ePub

Produktbeschreibung

George Farquhar's "The Recruiting Officer" is a masterful comedy that delves into the intricacies of love, honor, and the absurdities of military life in early 18th-century England. Characterized by its lively dialogue and clever wit, the play employs a blend of farce and romance while highlighting the social dynamics of its time. Through the antics of its vivid characters, particularly the charismatic Recruiting Officer, Farquhar skilfully critiques the societal notions of masculinity and valor, showcasing how recruitment often ensnares unsuspecting men through the lure of love and adventure. Farquhar himself was a soldier's son, and his experiences in both military service and theatre informed much of his writing. His keen observation of human behaviors and interpersonal relationships is reflected in his characters, portraying the folly of their pursuits alongside genuine affection. "The Recruiting Officer" was written during a time when England was deeply involved in warfare, making Farquhar's exploration of the military compelling, especially as he navigated the complexities of allegiance and personal desire. I highly recommend "The Recruiting Officer" to anyone interested in the intersections of comedy and social commentary as it remains a poignant critique of its era. Enthusiasts of restoration comedy will appreciate Farquhar's sharp humor and the richly drawn characters that make this play a timeless examination of ambition and romance.

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Produktdetails

• Verlag: Good Press
• Seitenzahl: 248
• Erscheinungstermin: 21. November 2019
• Englisch
• ISBN-13: 4057664651730
• Artikelnr.: 58435722

Autorenporträt

George Farquhar (1678-1707) was an Irish-born playwright of the Restoration period. During his ten-year career, he produced two brilliant comedies, The Recruiting Officer in 1706 and The Beaux' Stratagem the following year. The son of a clergyman, he studied at Trinity College, Dublin, before briefly working as an actor at the Smock Alley Theatre in that city. Following an accident during a stage fight, when he mistakenly used a real sword and wounded a fellow actor so badly that he almost died, Farquhar renounced acting. Encouraged by his fellow actor Robert Wilks, he took up the pen and settled in London. His first play Love and a Bottle was well received at Drury Lane in 1698. The following year, The Constant Couple; or, A Trip to the Jubilee was an even greater hit with Wilks in the lead. After Sir Harry Wildair (1701), a sequel to The Constant Couple, and The Twin-Rivals (1702), he wrote his first great play. The first production of The Recruiting Officer starred Anne Oldfield, with whom Farquhar supposedly had an affair. The following year Farquhar, with "not one shilling" in his pocket, was encouraged by Wilks to produce a hastily written play. The next day Farquhar delivered the plot for The Beaux' Stratagem, which was presented on stage within six weeks. He died from tuberculosis after the third performance.