Restoration comedy and theatre
Restoration comedy and theatre
💡 Key Takeaways
- Identify the defining features of Restoration comedy—witty dialogue, satire of manners, and risqué humor.
- Explain how Restoration theatre reflected 17th-century court life and the growth of public performances.
- Recognize the shift to female actors on stage and the rise of the comedy of manners as a dominant form.
- Name key playwrights and works (Wycherley, Congreve, Behn) and their common themes of marriage, social status, and gender roles.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
When did Restoration comedy and theatre emerge in Britain, and what does the term 'Restoration' refer to?
Restoration theatre began around 1660 after Charles II was restored to the throne; the term covers plays from roughly the 1660s–early 1700s that revived the theatre after Puritan bans and often featured witty, satirical takes on manners.
What are typical features of Restoration comedies?
Satire of social manners, witty repartee, sexual innuendo, light intrigue, disguises and mistaken identities, and stock characters such as the rake and the witty heroine.
Which writers are associated with Restoration comedy, and can you name a famous work?
Notable playwrights include William Wycherley (The Country Wife), George Etherege (The Man of Mode), Aphra Behn (The Rover), William Congreve (The Way of the World), and John Vanbrugh (The Provoked Wife).
How did Restoration theatre affect women on stage?
Women were allowed to perform on English stages for the first time during the Restoration, leading to female-led roles and contributions to the era's wit and social satire.