Textualizing History in Synge’s Riders to the Sea and O’Casey’s Juno and the Paycock: A Comparative Study

Abstract

In a radical reaction against the idealism and sentimentality of melodrama, a few dramatists in the second half of the nineteenth century shifted the dramaturgy style into what came to be known as realism. This school of thought emphasizes the presentation of life as it is without exaggeration, illusions or artifices. It is evidently reflected in the dramatic works of some playwrights like John Millington Synge and Sean O’Casey who are the main concern of this paper. In this respect, the textualization of history is significantly an important aspect of realist plays. Therefore, this comparative study explores the textualization of history in two iconic Irish plays; John Millington Synge’s Riders to the Sea (1904) and Sean O’Casey’s Juno and the Paycock (1924). These plays are realistic portrayals of Irish society and the profound impact of historical events on the lives of ordinary individuals. By utilizing a new historicist and postcolonial reading, this study aims to uncover how historical events are recorded, reinterpreted, and recreated within literary works. It investigates the ways in which Synge and O’Casey incorporate these historical elements into their plays, demonstrating the dual nature of the relationship between history and literature. Besides, the study will conclude by proving the indirect commitment of these playwrights to their nations, countering accusations leveled against them.