Irish Literature and Theater Themes

The video explores the rich history of Irish drama, focusing on the Irish Renaissance and the Abbey Theater's role in promoting Irish culture. It highlights J.M. Synge's contributions, particularly his play 'Riders to the Sea', and discusses the influence of Irish writers like Oscar Wilde and George Bernard Shaw on English drama. The video concludes with a preview of future topics.

What was the primary focus of the Irish Renaissance?

• Literary and cultural revival

• Technological advancement

• Industrial development

• Political reform

Who was the first major playwright produced by the Abbey Theater?

• J.M. Synge

• George Bernard Shaw

• Lady Gregory

• W.B. Yeats

What was a significant theme in Synge's plays?

• Urban life

• Romantic idealism

• Rural realism mixed with myth

• Political satire

What caused controversy in Synge's 'The Playboy of the Western World'?

• Its depiction of urban life

• Its portrayal of Irish nobility

• The use of the word 'shift'

• Its political themes

What is the central tragedy in 'Riders to the Sea'?

• A failed love affair

• The loss of all male family members to the sea

• A political uprising

• A family's financial ruin

How does Synge's 'Riders to the Sea' connect to mythology?

• It is based on a Norse legend

• It features a Greek god

• It retells a Roman myth

• It includes a Celtic spirit called the puca

What was Oscar Wilde's approach to societal norms in his plays?

• He celebrated them

• He critiqued and mocked them

• He ignored them

• He reinforced them

Which play by Oscar Wilde is known for its subversive humor?

• Lady Windermere’s Fan

• The Importance of Being Earnest

• Salomé

• Vera

What was George Bernard Shaw's belief about the role of theater?

• To entertain without purpose

• To reinforce societal norms

• To challenge conventional morality

• To focus solely on aesthetics

What upcoming topics are previewed at the end of the video?

• Modernism and postmodernism

• Realism and naturalism

• Symbolism, surrealism, and dadaism

• Romanticism and classicism