The Influence of William Congreve on Restoration Comedy
William Congreve, an English playwright and poet of the Restoration period, is known for his clever and satirical dialogue that influenced the comedy of manners style. The Restoration period marked the end of Cromwell's Commonwealth and the return of monarchy with Charles II. Comedy of manners reflected upper-class society's morals, with a focus on sexual themes and societal contrasts. Congreve's play "The Way of the World" showcased his talent, though it didn't match the success of his earlier work.
Download Presentation
Please find below an Image/Link to download the presentation.
The content on the website is provided AS IS for your information and personal use only. It may not be sold, licensed, or shared on other websites without obtaining consent from the author. Download presentation by click this link. If you encounter any issues during the download, it is possible that the publisher has removed the file from their server.
E N D
Presentation Transcript
William Congreve An Introduction
Introduction William Congreve (24 January 1670 19 January 1729) was an English playwright and poet of the Restoration period. He is known for his clever, satirical dialogue and influence on the comedy of manners style of that period. He was also a minor political figure in the British Whig Party.
Restoration Period End of Cromwell s Commonwealth(1649-1659) in 1659. Monarchy was restored with Charles II taking the power to rule in England. Restoration replaced the probing, exploring, risk taking intellectual values of the Renaissance. It relied on reason and on facts rather than on speculation
The genius of the nation led to the founding of the Royal society in 1662 fo the improving of Natural Knowledge. Establishment of Protestant faith ending the brief span of Catholic King james II(!685-1688) Known as Glorious or Bloodless Revolution. Once Protestant supremacy had been established , religious dissent was stifled.
Comedy of Manners It reflects directly the manners, modes and morals of the upper-class society which was its main audience. The main subject of it was sex: sexual atrraction,sexual intrigue, and sexual conquest. Sex and search for sex becomes entertainment.
The plays manifest excess of freedom , now that the constraints of the Puritan Commonwealth have been thrown off. The characters are obsessed with fashion , gossip, and their own circle in society. Strong contrasts are made between innocence and knowingness, often these are represented as contrasts between rustic country manners and the refinement of the city.
In Comedy of manners , women are such types as predatory young widows. Or older ladies still trying to be attractive to young men. The best comedies reflect an amoral and frivolous society.
The Way of the World (1700) It was first performed in 1700 but did not meet with the resounding success of his first play, The Old Batchelour. Four texts of the play were published in Congreve s lifetime by his friend Jacob Tonson.
Congreves acute observation of the social and emotional pressures on the characters who are more richly drawn than traditional stereotypes make him the most successful dramatist of his times. Having being brought up in Ireland, gave him a privileged viewpoint on the society which he portrayed with such insight, sympathy and wit.
