Riders to the Sea
Drama
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John Millington Synge
Riders to the Sea Main Text
RIDERS TO THE SEA
A PLAY IN ONE ACT
First performed at the Molesworth Hall, Dublin, February 25th, 1904.
PERSONS
MAURYA (an old woman)...... Honor Lavelle
BARTLEY (her son).......... W. G. Fay
CATHLEEN (her daughter).... Sarah Allgood
NORA (a younger daughter).. Emma Vernon
MEN AND WOMEN
SCENE.
An Island off the West of Ireland.
(Cottage kitchen, with nets, oil-skins, spinning wheel, some ne...
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Riders to the Sea Themes
Themes of "Riders to the Sea"
The Power of the Sea: The sea is like a hungry monster, a powerful and unstoppable force in Riders to the Sea. It took away all of Maurya's family members. Her father-in-law, husband, and sons all died in it. The sea cannot be controlled or beaten.
Supernaturalism and Superstitions: In "Riders to the Sea," supernaturalism and superstitions are important. Maurya bel...
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Riders to the Sea Characters
Maurya: She is an old, poor mother. She is the tragic character of the play Riders to the Sea. She is a broken but strong old woman. She has lost almost everyone to the sea. She is a deeply superstitious woman. She believes in visions (like seeing dead Michael riding). At first, she appeared full of fear. Her hands shake when she's nervous. She begs her last son, Bartley, not to go to sea, but he...
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Riders to the Sea Literary Devices
Literary Terms
Tragedy: A sad story where people suffer or die. Maurya loses all her sons to the sea.
One-Act Play: A one-act play is a drama with only one act. It has no long breaks or many different scenes. "Riders to the Sea" is a one-act play. It shows one sad story in a very short time. The play happens in one place without any change. It is short, simple, and full of deep sorrow. A one-act p...
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Riders to the Sea Key Info
Writer: John Millington Synge (1871-1909)
Full Title: Riders to the Sea
Source: Inspired by Synge's observations of life on the Aran Islands.
Written Time: 1902-1903
Published Date: 1904
Genre: Tragedy
Tone: Melancholic
Point of View: Third-person (objective through dialogue)
Total Acts: One (I)
Time Setting: Late 19th to early 20th century
Place Setting: A Small thatched cottage on Aran Island, I...
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Riders to the Sea Quotes
"They're all gone now, and there isn't anything more the sea can do to me." (Maurya)
Exp: When Maurya’s last son Bartley dies, she says the quotes. It means the sea has taken all her men, and she has nothing left to lose.
"This is the one boat going for two weeks... the fair will be a good fair for horses."
Exp: When Maurya begs Bartley to stay at home and not go to sea. Bartley says he must tak...
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Riders to the Sea Summary
"Michael's Clothes and a Family's Fear: The play takes place on an island near Ireland. It starts in a small kitchen inside a cottage. The kitchen has fishing nets, raincoats, and cooking tools. There are three women: Cathleen, about 20 years old, Nora, and their mother, Maurya. Cathleen is making bread and spinning thread. Her younger sister, Nora, comes in and asks where their mother is. Cathlee...
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Notes
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