The Playboy of the Western World: who's who, timeline and places
Everyone in The Playboy of the Western World, what happens when, and where, without spoilers: tell us how far you have read and we show only what you already know.
- Old MahonOld Mahon is the father of Christopher Mahon.First seen in act 1
- Widow QuinWidow Quin belongs to the community near Mayo’s wild coast.First seen in act 1
- ShawnShawn Keogh is the cousin of Michael James Flaherty’s daughter.First seen in act 1
- Michael JamesMichael James Flaherty is a publican and Margaret Flaherty’s father.First seen in act 1
- Village girlsThe village girls form part of the community near Mayo’s coast.First seen in act 1
- Act 1
The play introduces Christopher Mahon, his father, and a village community near Mayo’s wild coast.
- Act 2
Pegeen fears staying alone while her father attends a wake, but Shawn refuses to remain.
- Act 2
A frightened Christopher enters the pub and claims he killed his father with a loy.
- Act 2
Michael admires Christopher’s supposed courage and offers him work as a pot-boy and protection from the police.
- Act 2
Pegeen refuses Widow Quin’s attempt to take Christopher away and rejects marriage to Shawn.
- Act 3
Four girls bring Christy food, admire his story, and help Widow Quin prepare him for the sports.
- Act 3
Pegeen dismisses the visitors, frightens Christy with talk of hanging, then reassures him and asks him to stay.
- Act 3
Shawn offers clothes and part of a travel ticket, but Christy refuses to leave.
- Act 3
Christy’s wounded father arrives, exposing his claim of murder as false.
- Act 3
Widow Quin sends Mahon away and agrees to conceal his survival in return for promised benefits.
- Act 4
Widow Quin persuades Mahon to doubt his recognition of Christy.
- Act 4
Christy wins the race and receives cheers and prizes.
- Act 4
Christy and Pegeen agree to marry, and Michael blesses their match after Shawn refuses to fight Christy.
- Act 4
Mahon returns and beats Christy, revealing his survival and turning Pegeen and the crowd against Christy.
- Act 4
Christy attacks his father again, and the gathering attempts to hand Christy to the police.
- Act 4
Christy leaves commanding his surviving father, while Pegeen mourns losing him.
Hidden until you have read that far.
- MayoMayo’s wild coast is the setting for the village community.First seen in act 1
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