How the way of the world is a comedy of manners?

‘The Way of the World’ is a seamless illustration of comedy of manners written in Restoration period by William Congreve. The play is considered by critics as a pure comedy of manners and William Congreve as the finest writer of comedy of manners.

What are the characteristics of comedy of manners?

The characteristics of a comedy of manners include:

• the use of double entendre and other forms of risque language.
• elaborate plots.
• cross-dressing (usually women in men’s clothing)
• physical seduction.
• extramarital affairs.
• cynicism.
• the meeting of the aristocracy and common folk.
• intrigues such as forgeries and spying.

Why way of the world is considered as a Restoration comedy?

Restoration as a historical period was a time when England was an established colonial power in the world. It was a time of materialism and commerce and the people of the period emphasized money, pleasure and sex. This makes the play a typical restoration comedy of manners. …

What is meant by comedy of manners?

Comedy of manners, witty, cerebral form of dramatic comedy that depicts and often satirizes the manners and affectations of a contemporary society. A comedy of manners is concerned with social usage and the question of whether or not characters meet certain social standards.

Who is Millamant in way of the world?

Millamant is generally conceded to be the most charming heroine in Restoration comedy. She is a fitting partner-antagonist to Mirabell. She maintains the same self-control to the very end of the proviso scene.

Who is the protagonist of the way of the world?

The protagonist of the play, Edward Mirabell is a fashionable, intellectual, and clever man-about-town, popular with the ladies.

What is a example of comedy of manners?

Television series such as George and Mildred, Absolutely Fabulous, The Young Ones, and The League of Gentlemen also contain many elements of the genre. Though less common as a genre in American television, series such as Frasier, Ugly Betty, Soap, and The Nanny are also comedies of manners.

What is comedy of manners give examples?

William Wycherley’s The Country Wife, with William Congreve’s The Way of the World, Oliver Goldsmith’s She Stoops to Conquer, Richard Brinsley Sheridan’s The School for Scandal and The Rivals are some examples of comedy of manners.

Which age is called Restoration age and why?

1. THE RESTORATION AGE (1660-1700) The period from 1660 to 1700 is known as the Restoration period or the Age of Dryden because monarchy was restored in England.

What is the main theme of Restoration comedy?

One of the major themes of restoration comedy is marriage and the game of love. But if marriage is a mirror of society, the couples in the plays show something very dark and sinister about order. Many critiques of marriage in the comedies are devastating.

What was the first comedy of manners?

In England, William Shakespeare’s Much Ado about Nothing might be considered the first comedy of manners, but the genre really flourished during the Restoration period. Restoration comedy, which was influenced by Ben Jonson’s comedy of humours, made fun of affected wit and acquired follies of the time.

What is Restoration comedy manners?

In English literature, the term comedy of manners (also anti-sentimental comedy) describes a genre of realistic, satirical comedy of the Restoration period (1660–1710) that questions and comments upon the manners and social conventions of a greatly sophisticated, artificial society.

How is the way of the world a comedy of manners?

‘ The Way of the World’ has all the important characteristics of the comedy of manners. The aim of this comedy is to show the manners of the upper ranks of contemporary society. It satirically presents the aristocratic Londonsociety. The purpose is to hit at the follies and foibles of people. Here Congreve has regarded Londonas his world.

Why is William Congreve considered a Restoration comedy?

The plays of Congreve are considered the greatest achievement of Restoration comedy. They are comedies of manners, depicting an artificial and narrow world as explained above, peopled by characters of nobility and fashion, to whom manners, especially gallantry, are more important than morals such as Mirabell, Lady Wishfort, and Fainall.

When was the Restoration comedy of manners written?

“The Restoration comedy of manners reached its fullest expression in The Way of the World (1700) by William Congreve, which is dominated by a brilliantly witty couple.”

Is the way of the world a Restoration comedy?

Therefore it is also called Restoration Comedy. “The Restoration comedy of manners reached its fullest expression in The Way of the World (1700) by William Congreve, which is dominated by a brilliantly witty couple.”