William Congreve (1670-1729). The Way of the World (1700) – the masterpiece of Restoration drama.

The play is based around the two lovers Mirabell and Millamant. In order for the two to get married and receive Millamant's full dowry, Mirabell must receive the blessing of Millamant's aunt, Lady Wishfort. Unfortunately, she is a bitter lady, who despises Mirabell and wants her own nephew, Sir Wilful, to wed Millamant. Mirabell and Millamant, equally strong-willed, discuss in detail the conditions under which they would accept each other in marriage (otherwise known as the "proviso scene"), showing the depth of feeling for each other. Mirabell finally proposes to Millamant and Millamant accepts. The love expressed in the play tends to be centred on material gain rather than the love of the partner. This can be seen in the scene where Millamant and Mirabell effectively carry out a pre-nuptial agreement, Millamant insisting on having all manner of liberties and powers, quite unusual for the time. None of the characters in the play can really be seen as 'good', and as such it is difficult to find a hero or heroine, or indeed anybody whom one would find deserving of sympathy.

 

High Tragedy and Pathetic Tragedy

High tragedy is the restoration tragic genre most usually revived today. The literary device of HIGH TRAGEDY is defined as the death of an innocent character, without reason or justification. Pathetic tragedy hinged on pity for the innocent victims of villainy or chance.

 

Comedy of Manners

Today the Restoration is best known for its comedy. The comedy of manners is an entertainment form which satirizes the manners and affectations of a social class or of multiple classes, often represented by stereotypical stock characters.For example, the miles gloriosus ("boastful soldier") in ancient times, the fop (piperkőc) and the rake (korhely) during the Restoration, or an old person pretending to be young. Restoration comedy is used as a synonym for "comedy of manners". The plot of the comedy, often concerned with scandal, is generally less important than its witty dialogue. A great writer of comedies of manners was Oscar Wilde, his most famous play being The Importance of Being Earnest.