Character of Sergeant in the play ' The Rising of the Moon.'

The Sergeant of the play is brave but irresponsible. He is the centre of the play and also responsible  for taking the play towards a different ending not imagined in the beginning. He is an Irish serving as a policeman in the British government. He along with his team is handed the task of arresting the escaped prisoners. If he succedss he will get a promotion along with a reward of 100 pounds. The inner hidden love for his nation is aroused by the prisoner who meets him in disguise as a ragged man. The patriotic feeling towards the Nation surpasses the law and the Sergeant's loyalty towards his Nation stands out to be superior thereby giving a different twist to the story.

Theme of 'The Rising of the Moon'

The 'Rising of the Moon' is a One Act play that throws light on Irish nationalism. The play reveals the dramatic imagination and charm of the characters. The title of the play is taken from the ballad on Shawn O'Farrell, which is a symbol of the Irish uprising against the British. The play deals with the hope of the Sergeant to arrest the run away prisoner so as to seek promotion and the reward of hundred pound. The prisoner, an Irish nationalist with his intelligence and charm manages to arise the love for nation in the mind of the sergeant, who is an Irish but serving in the British government. The Sergeants love for his nation surpasses over his duty and the prisoner escapes promising to return the favour.