Evaluate “Riders to the Sea” as a modern tragedy with a classical setting.
Riders to the Sea is a notable literary work by John Millington Synge. A complete discussion of this literary work is given, which will help you enhance your literary skills and prepare for the exam. Read the Main texts, Key info, Summary, Themes, Characters, Literary devices, Quotations, Notes, and various study materials of Riders to the Sea.
Answer
Evaluate “Riders to the Sea” as a modern tragedy with a classical setting.
Or, within the classical setting, “Riders to the Sea” by Synge is a modern tragedy. Justify. [NU. 2017, 2021] ★★★
- M. Synge’s (1871-1909) “Riders to the Sea” (1904) is a perfect example of a modern tragedy set in a classical setting. This one-act tragedy portrays the tragic fate of an old woman, Maurya, living on a remote island off the coast of Ireland. Maurya has lost her husband, father-in-law, and most of her sons to the sea. It is a modern tragedy because it captures the struggle and helplessness of the poor islanders against the all-devouring sea. Synge also combines classical elements like the role of fate/destiny controlled by the sea, the presence of chorus, and catharsis.
Classical Tragic Elements
The Tragic Hero: Maurya, the central character, is a tragic figure in the classical sense. Like the heroes in Greek tragedies, she is a person of deep emotions and suffering. She endures the loss of her husband, father-in-law, and six sons. By the end of the play, even her last son, Bartley, is taken by the sea. Maurya’s struggles against forces she cannot control make her a classical tragic character.
The Role of Fate: In classical tragedies, fate plays a major role, and “Riders to the Sea” is no different. The sea acts as a symbol of fate. The poor islanders cannot escape the sea. They must go to sea for fishing or trading, otherwise, the families would starve. Bartley must cross the sea in bad weather to sell his horse and support his family. Bartley explains he must go, as no boats will go in two weeks or more. Bartley says:
“This is the one boat going for two weeks or beyond it.”
No matter how much Maurya prays or tries to stop Bartley from going to the sea, she is powerless against the sea’s will; just like the classical tragic heroes cannot escape their fate.
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