# data[].attributes.body
( Original) Lady Teazle

# data[].attributes.body
Charles Surface

# data[].attributes.body
Joseph Surface

# data[].attributes.body
Scandals and Gossip mongering was a very common immorality during Sheridan's life time and he decided to address it in his satirical play The School for Scandal. The irony behind the title is shown right away in the Prologue:

"A school for Scandal! tell me, I beseech you,
Needs there a school this modish art to teach you?
No need of lessons now, the knowing think;
We might as well be taught to eat and drink."

Immorality then was so ubiquitous that Richard says that there is no need to “teach” how to spread scandal. In Act I sc.2 and Act II sc.2 it shows us the various ways in which scandal can be spread throughout society. His purpose in showing this was to show the vice in all its glory in the hopes that the society might reform itself and put an end to scandals and Gossip mongering. However, Garrick tells us in the Prologue that this is a futile task:

"Alas! the devil's sooner raised than laid.
So strong, so swift, the monster there's no gagging:
Cut Scandal's head off, still the tongue is wagging."

Though things seem to be somewhat lost one eager “pupil” from the play does learn her lesson and is finally “cured” of this immorality. Lady Teazle, marries Sir Peter Teazle and enrolls herself in this school of rumors and scandal, willingly and eagerly she learn to speak ill of others. When her husband tries to cure her of this vice she refuses to listen to him. However, when she gets herself into a situation with Joseph Surface when he tried to molested after a narrow escape she realizes the foolishness of her ways and is reformed.

Richard in the concluding lines of his “Prologue” seems to say
that although society itself is a school for scandal it is still possible to reform the scandal mongers.

"Bless'd were the fair like you; her faults who stopp'd,
And closed her follies when the curtain dropp'd!
No more in vice or error to engage,
Or play the fool at large on life's great stage."

# data[].attributes.body
Gossip
Whether the rumors were true or false it was spread by newspaper and people. gossip or rumors being told by people would spread quickly. However, when it came to newspapers it was able to spread further and was seen as more credible. For example, the rumors about Charles and Lady Teazle were having an affair was created by snake And Lady Sneerwell. Lady Sneerwell and Joseph rumor was something big in the play, and from that other rumors and gossip started to arise and get around like Lady Teazle and Joseph having a affair as well. Basically, Lady teazle would go through any means necessary to have Maria think that charles is a pig so that Sneerwell can have charles all to herself. Sir Peter being wounded in a dual badly or Charles debt. Then the big ending where both Lady Teazle and Sir Peter are hiding and finding out about all the truth behind the gossip. This ending is sort of a way of showing that the truth will always come out on top no matter what the rumors are.

Morality/ Honor
The people in the School for Scandal, well some you see try to keep up a front in maintaining a facade of morality when they continue spreading and starting rumors to destroy or mess up others ( Lady Sneerwell, Snake, Joseph, Sir Benjamin...) they are basically banish from society. However, we do have those who try to keep their morality and stay upright( though Lady Teazle did part take in some rumors she is truly apologetic and forgiven for consorting with them, Charles whose always honest is rewarded for that in spite of his immoral behavior. They take honor to be important but end up doing something completely opposite. I believe the main message Sheridan wanted to tell is to stay truthful, upfront, honorable and to not play with other's emotion. try not to live in a corrupt society.

Physical Appearance
"Physical Appearance was of great importance in the upper-middle class in 18th-century England which shows in play. This is extremely evident because of the humongous and rather extra wigs worn. Their real hair was not seen as beautiful enough so they had to use wigs! As well as the amount of make up that is worn. School for Scandal is a comedy of manners, focuses on upper- middle class social customs. this drama itself as a medium focuses on physical appearance more than genres that are purely textual. Physical appearance in The play intersects with the theme of gender as well in that the physical appearances of women are mostly commented and remarked upon due to their lower status in society. For example, you'll find many gossip-filled conversation between men and women alike about the makeup habits of some women. another example would be when a group of men at Charles's singing songs about different women, focusing particularly on their physical characteristics such as skin tone or having or lacking dimples."

Money

"Since The School for Scandal, as a comedy of manners, focuses on the lives and flaws of upper-class people, we shouldn't be surprise that money or wealth being a strong theme in the play. Joseph is shown to be wise and proper but stingy with his money, while Charles is fun-loving and spends himself into debt but is willing to give money to a poor relative, valuing family over his own wealth. Money is also the main issue that plagues Sir Peter and Lady Teazle's marriage, since she loves to  spend more lavishly, to try to stay in fashion, to stay in good standing with high society. Sheridan thus shows how money played an important role in social standing, often to the point of causing interpersonal difficulties." Money is also the main core of the play. The whole purpose of Sir oliver coming to town is to decide which nephew deserves his money, while neither nephew is aware of this, it draws a focus to how each nephew spends his money and we wind up picking which nephew we would hope Sir Oliver chooses.

# data[].attributes.body
Physical appearance, demonstrated youth, fashion sense, and wealth, it was quite important to 18th-century social status, especially for women. In writing a comedy of manners focused on upper class people in 18th-century England, Sheridan often focuses dialogue on descriptions of others' physical appearance, including figurative language that makes the descriptions even more vivid

# data[].attributes.body
Richard often uses characters' names from The School for Scandal to hint at their personalities. For example, Lady Sneerwell is judgmental and enjoys spreading reputation-ruining rumors, she knows how to sneer well (get it). Snake is sly and sneaky. However; some characters' names are ironic because they contradict their personalities. Mrs. Candour is an example of this type of ironic naming. While the word candor in British English means honesty and openness, Mrs. Candour is as much of a hypocritical gossiper as Lady Sneerwell and the others in their social circle

# data[].attributes.body
Joseph Surface

Joseph is Charles’ brother, cunning and ambitious. He wants to marry Maria because of her money, and he plots with Lady Sneerwell to make this happen. He is promiscuous and propositions Lady Teazle to have an affair. He loves money and he refuses to help his poor relative, Stanley (really Sir Oliver in disguise), telling him that he has no money, even though this in not true.

Charles Surface

Charles is one of Sir Oliver’s nephews, madly in love with Maria. He is a young man who likes to spend money; he has a kind heart and is open about his flaws. He is grateful for the help his uncle provides and refuses to sell his portrait out of respect even when Mr. Premium (really Sir Oliver in disguise) offers to pay a fortune for it. Because of this, Charles is considered to be the worthy nephew.

Sir Oliver Surface

Sir Oliver is Charles and Joseph’s rich uncle, who has been in the East Indies for a long time. He sent his nephews money while he was away; once he returns, he wants to find out more about their true character in order to determine who is worthy to get his inheritance. To do this, he assumes the identities of Mr. Premium and Stanley to test them. He is kind and vigilant, not believing everything he hears about Charles and Joseph.

Sir Peter (Pete) Teazle

Sir Pete is an old gentlemen, very rich, who marries a young girl. He takes Joseph’s side and tells Sir Oliver about Charles’ behavior. He wants to separate from his wife because he thinks that she spends too much money; in the separation, he is willing to let her a large sum of money as a form of compensation. Ultimately, however, he decides against breaking up with his wife, and tries to reconcile with her.

Lady Teazle

Lady Teazle is Sir Pete’s young wife, described as very beautiful but vain, with a passion for having fashionable clothes. She and her husband have their little arguments and Lady Teazle thinks about having an affair with Joseph; however, she decides against it when she hears her husband talking about the money he intends to leave her.

Maria

Maria is a young girl, one of the only characters who doesn’t like to gossip. She can be viewed as a symbol for what is pure and good. She loves Charles, but Joseph tries to break them up; he almost succeeds when rumors are spread about an affair between Lady Sneerwell and Charles.

Lady Sneerwell

Lady Sneerwell is a widow, a wealthy woman who likes Charles and who is willing to do anything to break up Charles and Maria. She finds an ally in Joseph, and together they start to scheme. She is known for her tendency to spread rumors; because of this, she is very popular in her social circle.

Mrs. Candour

Mrs. Candor is one of Lady Sneerwell’s friends who also likes to spread rumors. She is a hypocrite because she affirms that spreading rumors is bad, even though she does this too.

Snake

Snake is Lady Sneerwell’s servant who helps her by spreading her rumors.

Moses

Moses is one of Charles’ money lenders, who helps Sir Oliver get in touch with his nephew.

# data[].attributes.body
Richard Brinsley Sheridan was born in
Dublin, Ireland on October 30th 1751 and died on July the 7th in London 1816. He had two spouses. The first, Elizabeth Anne Sheridan, thought to have married Richard in March of 1772 although there are no records of a ceremony. The official ceremony took place in 1773. (Fun fact; Elizabeth was one of the most noted soprano singers of her day. Francis Burney described her as "infinitely superior to all other english singers" but her husband discouraged her from singing in public after they married.) This does not make it surprising that neither partener was very faithful and both had affairs. Elizabeth had several miscarriages and still borns before giving birth to their son Thomas Sheridan in 1775.  Elizabeth died in 1792nof tuberculosis. His second wife was named Esther Jane Sheridan. They were married in April of 1795 and the matrimony lasted until Richard's death in 1816. she died a year after her beloveds death at the age of about 40. Richard Brinsly Sheridan is Classified as an "Irish Satirist" and known as a playwright as well as a poet. Sheridan even owned the London Theatre Royal, Drury Lane. Besides The School For Scandal, he had other well-known plays such as The Rivals and A Trip To Scarborough. Richard Brinsley Sheridan was also a member of parliament to the Whig party, meaning he represented the voters.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Josh and Tim Explain THE SCHOOL FOR SCANDAL

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
The School for Scandal | Stratford Festival 2017

# data[].attributes.body
Plot:

In the beginning of the play we are set with loads of drama. Everybody is in love with somebody. 3 men (Charles, Joseph, and Sir Benjamin) are in love with this lovely lady named Maria. Meanwhile Lady Sneerwell is head over heels for the flirting, gambling Charles. Sir Oliver is coming to town to decide which of his nephews are worth leaving his large amounts of money to. Oliver enlists the help of Rawley for this. His Nephews are unaware of the stakes that are held with their uncles visit. There is of course foreseeable drama here as Peter cannot stand Charles, but really cares about Joseph, his brother. However, Rawley cannot stand Joseph and adores Charles. Marriage troubles are deep between Lady Teazle and Sir Peter. Lady sneerwell plans to use this to make it look as if Lady Teazle is having an affair with Charles so Maria could not possibly be in love with Charles. This way Lady Sneerwell can be married to Charles and the Joseph to Maria. Seems like a fool proof plan, right? However, the craziness doesn’t even begin until Sir Oliver arrives to town. When sir Oliver gets to town he begins testing his nephews to see who truly deserves his riches. To test their character, he sends a phony letter from a relative of theirs (Mr. Stanley) asking for money. Sir oliver is pretending to be a money lender named Mr. Premium. Mr Premium goes to Charles and asks to buy all of his paintings of his ancestors. Ironically enough, Charles opts to sell every one of the paintings except for that of Oliver. This of course feeds Sir Oliver’s ego and he is pleased with Charles’ character. Next step of course is to test Joseph. When he visits Joseph he says that he is Mr. Stanley and asks for money. Unfortunately, ignorant Joseph tells “Mr. Stanley” to take a hike. Joseph is busy dealing with the fake affair drama. Joseph tells Peter that Charles and Lady Teazle are not having any affair. Charles eventually enters and then Peter hides in a box (tartuffe reference, anyone?) and hears that sir charles is not guilty. Charles becomes aware of Peter hiding in the box and tells him so.Then Lady Teazle (who has also been hiding in this room) sees Sir Peter and Sir Peter sees Lady Teazle. Of course then Lady Teazle reveals how she had been hiding the whole time and heard every thoughtful thing that Sir Peter said and it all made her very happy. They both vow then and there to work on their marriage together. Then of course the whole town has to decide who was having an affair with who because what play is complete without the gossip of a good chorus? Everyone comes to Josephs house where Sir Oliver reveals who he truly is and states that he thinks Charles is better suited to inherit his fortune. Lady sneerwell being the drama queen that she is then tries to say that Charles got her pregnant. (Drama queen much?) Luckily Snake (who was plotting with Sneerwell the whole time) reveals the truth to everyone in the end. This was Charles was able to marry Maria and they lived happily ever after…. Or did they?

# data[].attributes.body
School for Scandal Play-Bill