Castle Rackrent by Maria Edgeworth Castle Rackrent by Maria Edgeworth is one of the most important novels in early Irish literature and a foundational work in the development of regional fiction and social satire. Published in 1800, the book blends humor, realism, and sharp political insight to deliver a vivid picture of Anglo-Irish landlord society….
The Beggar’s Opera by John Gay is a satirical ballad opera that cleverly critiques 18th-century politics, society, and corruption. Set in a criminal underworld mirroring upper-class behavior, it follows the story of the roguish highwayman Macheath, who is caught in a web of betrayal, love, and deceit. With humorous commentary on greed, hypocrisy, and power,…
Arms and the Man is a comedy by George Bernard Shaw, set during the 1885 Serbo-Bulgarian War. The play satirizes romanticized notions of war and love, challenging the idealistic views of heroism and passion prevalent in society. Shaw uses witty dialogue and clever characters to debunk these fantasies, encouraging a more practical view of both…
