Importance of money in marriage: A case study of Sheridan's play the Rivals

The theme of marriage in Richard Brinsley Sheridan's plays depends more on the value of money than on the value of love. In his play The Rivals, value of money becomes a salient theme and surpasses the theme of love even if Sheridan tries frequently to show love. Money plays an essential part in this play and its importance lies in determining the marriage whether positively or negatively. However, the play reflects the importance of money in the eighteenth century society where people were divided into three primary classes: the aristocrats, the bourgeoisie and the peasants.