Identifying Works by Richard Brinsley Sheridan

The question asks us to identify which of the listed works were written by the famous Anglo-Irish playwright and statesman, Richard Brinsley Sheridan. To answer this, we need to know the authors of each work provided in the list.

Let's examine each work:

1. A. Richelieu: This play was written by Edward Bulwer-Lytton, first performed in 1839. It is not a work by Richard Brinsley Sheridan.
2. B. St Patrick's Day: The full title is St Patrick's Day; or, The Scheming Lieutenant. This is a short farce written by Richard Brinsley Sheridan, first performed in 1775.
3. C. The Duenna: This is a comic opera by Richard Brinsley Sheridan, with music by his father-in-law, Thomas Linley the elder, and his brother-in-law, Thomas Linley the younger. It was first performed in 1775.
4. D. The Citizen of the World: This is a series of essays written by Oliver Goldsmith, first published anonymously in 1762. It is not a work by Richard Brinsley Sheridan.
5. E. Irene: This is a tragic play written by Samuel Johnson, first performed in 1749. It is not a work by Richard Brinsley Sheridan.

Based on this analysis, the works written by Richard Brinsley Sheridan from the given list are St Patrick's Day (B) and The Duenna (C).

Now, let's look at the options provided and find the one that includes both B and C:

• Option 1: A & B (Incorrect, A is not by Sheridan)
• Option 2: C & D (Incorrect, D is not by Sheridan)
• Option 3: B & C (Correct, both B and C are by Sheridan)
• Option 4: A & E (Incorrect, neither A nor E is by Sheridan)

Therefore, the correct option is the one listing B and C.

The works specifically attributed to Richard Brinsley Sheridan from the provided list are St Patrick's Day and The Duenna.

Revision Table: Key Sheridan Works

Additional Information on Richard Brinsley Sheridan and His Literary Contributions

Richard Brinsley Sheridan (1751-1816) was a dominant figure in the London stage world and a prominent Whig politician. He was part-owner of the Drury Lane Theatre, one of the most important theatres in London at the time. His plays are renowned for their witty dialogue, satirical take on society, and complex plots, often featuring mistaken identities, romantic entanglements, and social commentary.

Context of the Works:

• St Patrick's Day and The Duenna were both performed in 1775, a significant year for Sheridan's early theatrical career, following his successful debut with The Rivals earlier that year.
• While The Rivals and The School for Scandal are arguably his most famous comedies of manners, works like St Patrick's Day (a farce) and The Duenna (a comic opera) show his versatility across different theatrical genres.
• The other authors mentioned (Edward Bulwer-Lytton, Oliver Goldsmith, and Samuel Johnson) were also important figures in English literature but belong to different periods or focused on different genres than Sheridan's primary work in late 18th-century theatre.

Understanding the key works and genres associated with major authors like Richard Brinsley Sheridan is crucial for studying English literature.