Genre
Black Comedy
Language
English
Setting and Context
Northern Ireland, 1993
Narrator and Point of View
Told from the point of view of a man called Padraic
Tone and Mood
Violent, Chaotic, Cold, Solemn, Unaffected, Callous, Dark, and Comedic
Protagonist and Antagonist
There is no clear protagonist in the play. However, Padraic is the antagonist of the play.
Major Conflict
Padraic's struggle to deal with the death of his cat, as well as his struggle to gain independence for Ireland
Climax
When Mairead claims the eponymous title "The Lieutenant of Inishmore" for herself.
Foreshadowing
Padraic choosing not to kill Thomas is foreshadowed in the play.
Understatement
The culpability of Padraic's family in his heinous actions are understated throughout the play.
Allusions
To McDonagh's other play in the series called The Cripple of Inishman.
To the works of Shakespeare, Wilde, Yeats, Beckett, and Shaw.
To popular culture, religion and the Bible (Ireland is a deeply religious nation), geography (of Ireland, particularly), mythology, and history (of Ireland, specifically).
Imagery
McDonagh uses stark imagery to paint a stark picture of, for example, the bombings which people like Padraic are responsible for (the violence, suffering, and damage physically and mentally they do, for example).
Paradox
Padraic was raised by a seemingly normal man, yet turned into a violent monster with very little feelings.
Parallelism
The stories of Padraic and Mairead are often paralleled.
Personification
The bombs and other violence and destruction Padraic brings to the world is often personified.
Use of Dramatic Devices
Although he uses stage directions rather sparingly compared to other playwrights, McDonagh's stage directions help to paint a vivid picture for the audiences: how the sets should look, how the characters feel, etc.
