The way of the World as a Restoration Comedy

The way of the World as a Restoration Comedy

Introduction: The year 1700 is a landmark in the history of English Literature. In this year, the play “The way of the World” come into existence. This drama is considered as one of the best example of the comedy of manners, This play has the following traits.

The Setting: William has given emphasis on an appropriate locale. The chocolatehouse is setting of the present play. Gradually the chocolatehouse becomes the centre of scandal mongering.

The title: The title of the present play is thematic. It shows the way by which the incidents of this world are moving on. Besides from many directions, this title becomes though provoking.

A comedy of Manners: In the 18th century the comedy of manners become one of the popular trends of drama. The way of the world can not be an exception to this observation. A comedy manner has many features.

The characters: As a dramatist William has given equal emphasis on the portrayal of both major and minor character. Through these character Congreve succeeds to deliver his social messages. Above all, the characters of this play are not at all the denizens of a fairy land. They are rather the real human beings of flesh and blood.

Scandal Mongering: It is a pity that in the 18th century, scandal Mongering became of the regular practices. The present play has the following reflections of Scandal Mongering.

• Mrs Fainall becomes pregnant by Mirabell even before her marriage.
• The aged widows like Mrs Marwood and Lady Wishford feel crazy for a young man Mirabell. They even had secret sexual longing for mirabell.
• Mr Fainall makes forgery with his own wife Mrs Fainall.
• Waitwell woos Lady Wishford in the disguise of Sir Rowland.

City life versus country life: The present play deals with the ongoing conflict between city life and country life. According William city life is artificial, sophisticated and fashionable. This life is also mechanical and it is love ridden and sex-ridden. On the other hand, country life is natural and prosperous. It is also freed from complication din and bustle of noisy city life.

The Proviso Scene: In the present play, there is a proviso scene where Mirabell and Millament discuss their terms and conditions before entering the bond of marriage. The sprit is that in no way, the marriage means self-surrender. Marriage looked upon as a mutual agreement between husband and the wife. It is assumed that all the marriages should be arranged on the basis of peaceful negotiation and mutual understanding.

The conclusion: What is the ultimate message of this play? The answer is not so simple. Most of the critics argue that through the present play William makes a plea for the restoration of hood sense and morality.