The Rising of the Moon: Analysis of Major Characters
"The Rising of the Moon" features a nuanced examination of its major characters, particularly highlighting the themes of loyalty, identity, and societal roles in a historical context. The central figure, the Sergeant, is a complex character who embodies the dualities of his position as an officer in the Royal Irish Constabulary. While he displays caution and a lack of imagination, he grapples with his feelings of patriotism, revealing an internal conflict that resonates with many during times of political strife. In contrast, The Man, a ballad singer, serves as a foil to the Sergeant, using his art to engage in subversive political activities. His character underscores the power of culture and legend in shaping public sentiment and gaining support for a cause.
Supporting characters Policeman B. and Policeman X. represent a more rigid adherence to duty with little engagement in the broader cultural narrative. Their interactions with the Sergeant highlight the tension between authority and the evolving nature of patriotism. The dynamics among these characters provide a rich exploration of how individual motivations can intersect with larger societal issues, making the play a reflective piece on identity and allegiance in a time of change. This character analysis opens avenues for deeper discussions about the complexities of loyalty and the role of art in resistance movements.
The Rising of the Moon: Analysis of Major Characters
Author: Lady Augusta Gregory
First published: 1905
Genre: Play
Locale: Ireland
Plot: Protest
Time: The late nineteenth century
Sergeant, an officer in the Royal Irish Constabulary, a force recruited from native Irishmen by the British authorities. The Sergeant reveals the ambiguities and divided loyalties of his professional role. He is a slow, cautious, and somewhat unimaginative character. Although he is not particularly enlightened, he is also not outside the range of patriotic sentiment's appeal. His discovery that this is the case is as much of a surprise to him as it is to the audience.
The Man, a character conceived of as the Sergeant's antithesis. As a ballad singer, he is as identifiable a presence in the society of the time as a police officer. This populist disguise covers the character's more subervisive activities. Ballads provide a medium through which the Man's political activities may be seen as legendary. His ability to win over the Sergeant's collusion is an argument in favor of the innate appeal of his presence and his cause.
Policeman B., one of the play's minor characters, who constitutes the search party with Policeman X. He is intent on little more than doing his duty. His speech at the end of the play reveals his lack of interest in the world of history and culture. His behavior indicates that he needs the Sergeant to issue orders to him in order to function.
Policeman X., who is as one-dimensional and minor a character as his colleague, Policeman B. He is a little more committed to doing his duty in pursuit of the escaped prisoner. The play does not develop what this commitment means either to the character or to the play's depiction of the powers that be. Together, the two policemen make up a framework of orthodoxy, within which the complications of the Sergeant's loyalties may be perceived.