The School for Scandal 🌟 By Richard Brinsley Sheridan FULL Audiobook

The School for Scandal. By Richard Brinsley Sheridan FULL Audiobook
"The School for Scandal" by Richard Brinsley Sheridan is a delightful comedy of manners that satirizes the upper echelons of eighteenth-century English society. Let me provide you with a detailed summary of this witty and scandalous play.

1. Introduction and Characters:
The play opens in the dressing room of Lady Sneerwell, a wealthy widow who revels in plotting and spreading rumors. She employs Snake to forge letters and plant false stories in gossip columns.
Lady Sneerwell's primary goal is to prevent Charles Surface, whom she secretly loves, from getting engaged to the heiress Maria. She conspires with Charles's older brother, Joseph, who appears virtuous but is a hypocrite and liar. Joseph aims to marry Maria for her wealth.
Meanwhile, Sir Peter Teazle, a recent husband to a much younger woman, constantly quarrels with his wife, Lady Teazle. He blames Lady Sneerwell for influencing his wife negatively.
Sir Peter also serves as the guardian to the Surface brothers, believing Joseph to be morally upright and Charles to be a lost cause.

2. Scandal and Gossip:
Lady Sneerwell's house becomes a hub for scandalmongers, including the Teazles. They delight in spreading malicious gossip about their acquaintances.
Maria, Sir Peter's ward, is present during these gatherings. When gossip circulates about Charles's enormous debts and financial troubles, Maria becomes distressed.
Joseph continues to pursue Maria as a potential husband, but she resists his advances.

3. Sir Oliver Surface's Return:
Sir Peter's old friend, Sir Oliver Surface, returns to England after sixteen years in the East Indies.
Sir Oliver aims to gather information about his nephews, Joseph and Charles, to decide which one will inherit his fortune.
While Sir Peter believes Joseph to be exemplary and Charles to be morally flawed, Mr. Rowley disagrees, seeing potential for growth in Charles.

4. Themes and Satire:
Gossip and Scandal: The play revolves around the scandalous lives of the upper class, exposing their conceits and questionable morality.
Appearance vs. Reality: Characters often hide their true intentions behind a facade of virtue.
Love and Deception: Love interests are entangled in deceitful plots, leading to humorous misunderstandings.
Social Critique: Sheridan critiques the superficiality and hypocrisy prevalent in high society.

5. Conclusion:
As the play unfolds, secrets are revealed, mistaken identities abound, and true character emerges.
"The School for Scandal" remains a timeless exploration of human foibles, wit, and the art of deception.

In summary, Sheridan's play masterfully combines humor, wit, and biting social commentary, making it a classic work that continues to entertain and resonate with audiences. 🎭📜
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00:00:00 Introduction
00:33:37 A Portrait
00:41:14 Prologue
00:44:01 Dramatis Personae
00:45:00 School for Scandal. Act I
01:18:42 Act II
01:52:14 Act III
02:36:22 Act IV
03:27:38 Act V
04:18:16 Epilogue