Restoration comedy and manners
Restoration comedy and manners refer to a style of English theatre popular in the late 17th century, following the restoration of the monarchy. These plays are known for their witty dialogue, sexual innuendo, and satirical portrayal of upper-class society. They often focus on themes of love, marriage, and infidelity, highlighting the hypocrisy and superficiality of social conventions. The genre is characterized by clever repartee, complex plots, and memorable, flamboyant characters.
Restoration comedy and manners
Restoration comedy and manners refer to a style of English theatre popular in the late 17th century, following the restoration of the monarchy. These plays are known for their witty dialogue, sexual innuendo, and satirical portrayal of upper-class society. They often focus on themes of love, marriage, and infidelity, highlighting the hypocrisy and superficiality of social conventions. The genre is characterized by clever repartee, complex plots, and memorable, flamboyant characters.
💡 Key Takeaways
- Understand the historical context of Restoration comedy in late 17th-century England and its ties to court culture.
- Recognize signature features: witty repartee, sexual innuendo, and satirical portrayal of upper-class manners centered on courtship and marriage.
- Identify common stock characters (the rake, the witty heroine, the fop) and what they reveal about gender and class norms.
- Compare Restoration comedy with earlier drama and note its influence on the later tradition of comedies of manners and social satire.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What is Restoration comedy and what are its defining features?
A late‑17th‑century English theatre style that followed the 1660 Restoration; it's known for witty dialogue, sexual innuendo, satire of upper‑class manners, and plots about love and marriage.
When and why did Restoration comedy emerge?
It arose after the monarchy was restored in 1660, with new audiences, women on stage, and shifts in theatre licensing that shaped its form.
What kinds of characters appear in Restoration comedies?
Stock types include the rake, the coquette, the fop, and quick‑witted heroines who maneuver through social schemes.
How do Restoration comedies portray marriage and gender?
They often treat marriage as a social contract tied to wealth and reputation, use disguises and sharp banter to critique norms, and feature empowered female wit on stage.
Which plays or authors are representative of Restoration comedy of manners?
Notable works include The Country Wife (Wycherley), The Man of Mode (Etherege), The Rover (Aphra Behn), and Love for Love or The Way of the World (Congreve).