The Playboy of the Western World

The Playboy of the Western World

by John Millington Synge
The Playboy of the Western World

The Playboy of the Western World

by John Millington Synge

eBook

$0.99 

Available on Compatible NOOK Devices and the free NOOK Apps.
WANT A NOOK?  Explore Now

Related collections and offers

LEND ME® See Details

Overview

This classic three-act play by Irish playwright John Millington Synge is a favourite to this day for its drama, wit and whimsy.

Christy Mahon is a young man who enters Flaherty's, a tavern on County Mayo's west coast. He claims to have murdered his own father by striking him with a loy; a type of Irish spade. Despite the villainous nature of the deed itself, the townsfolk - particularly the women - are enraptured by Christy's storytelling abilities and natural charm.

Using his charisma and newfound notoriety, Christy romances the tavern owner's daughter Pegeen, and a series of other women within the town. He also continues to impress and enchant the locals by competing in and winning a donkey race with the least athletic creature in the entire area.

However, Christy's popularity is severely dented when his father - who in actuality was only wounded - arrives at the scene.

When it was published in 1907, Synge's play became both popular and reviled for its depiction of Irish characters. The lack of a moral voice, and the fact the characters are more occupied and thrilled with the controversy rather than revulsed by the would-be murderer saw many protest the play's staging, with riots breaking out at several theatres.

However, with time The Playboy of the Western World has become lauded as a classic of Irish drama and wit. Adaptations have duly been filmed for television and the big screen, and theatrical stagings are frequent in Ireland and the wider world.

Product Details

BN ID: 2940157417994
Publisher: CreateSpace Publishing
Publication date: 03/17/2017
Sold by: Barnes & Noble
Format: eBook
File size: 624 KB
From the B&N Reads Blog

Customer Reviews