The sentimental presentation of the relationship between Faulkland and Julia is the play’s greatest weakness for a modern audience. How far do you agree with this view.

The sentimental presentation of the relationship between Faulkland and Julia is the play’s greatest weakness for a modern audience. How far do you agree with this view.

The term ‘sentimental’ refers to the type of comedy which arose in the mid 18th century which contrasts traditional comedy where laughing is paramount. Instead there are serious aspects which arise in a sentimental comedy where the characters either have a strict sense of morality or an acute sensibility. The aim of any sentimental comedy is to show its characters in distress, from this aim, the term referring to such plays was ‘weeping comedy.’ This term applies greatly to the character of Julia. The weakness in the play comes from Sheridan’s attempt to follow the times and attitudes towards comedies. Sheridan tries to appeal to both audiences, those of the sentimental comedies and those of the more traditional comedies. The Rivals is a mixture of both, with the characters, Lydia, Mrs Malapro...