The Conscious Lovers

Definition

The Conscious Lovers is a sentimental comedy written by Richard Steele in 1722, emphasizing themes of virtue, love, and morality among the middle class. The play showcases the idea that true love transcends social class distinctions and that personal happiness can be achieved through integrity and honest emotions. This work is pivotal in the evolution of bourgeois drama, where characters navigate personal dilemmas while adhering to moral values and societal expectations.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Conscious Lovers was one of the first plays to focus on middle-class characters, moving away from the aristocratic themes prevalent in earlier dramas.
2. The play uses humor and satire to critique societal norms while promoting genuine emotions and moral integrity.
3. Key characters include a pair of lovers whose relationship is tested by societal expectations and their own ethical beliefs.
4. The play contributed significantly to the development of sentimental comedy by illustrating how love can lead to personal growth and ethical behavior.
5. The conscious lovers are ultimately rewarded for their virtue, emphasizing the belief that morality leads to happiness.

Review Questions

• How does The Conscious Lovers reflect the characteristics of sentimental comedy?
  • The Conscious Lovers embodies sentimental comedy through its focus on emotional depth and moral dilemmas faced by its characters. The play emphasizes genuine love, virtue, and the importance of adhering to ethical values over societal pressures. By showcasing characters who confront their emotions and navigate complex relationships, it highlights the genre's tendency to evoke sympathy while promoting moral integrity.
• Discuss how The Conscious Lovers contributes to the portrayal of bourgeois drama in the 18th century.
  • The Conscious Lovers contributes to bourgeois drama by centering its narrative around middle-class characters who experience relatable struggles with love and morality. Unlike earlier works that focused on aristocratic figures, this play reflects the values and aspirations of the rising middle class. It illustrates how personal happiness is achievable through virtue, resonating with audiences who identified with these themes in their own lives.
• Evaluate the significance of morality in The Conscious Lovers and its impact on audience perception during its time.
  • In The Conscious Lovers, morality plays a central role as characters face challenges that test their ethical beliefs. The emphasis on virtuous behavior leading to personal fulfillment resonated deeply with audiences of the time, as it aligned with the emerging societal ideals of integrity and emotional authenticity. By portraying moral choices as essential to achieving true happiness, the play encouraged audiences to reflect on their own values and behaviors, reinforcing a growing cultural trend toward self-awareness and ethical living.

Related terms

Sentimental Comedy: A genre of comedy that emphasizes emotional responses, moral values, and the importance of human feelings over mere humor, often focusing on love and virtue.

Bourgeois Drama: A style of drama that portrays the lives and struggles of the middle class, reflecting their values, morals, and social concerns, typically with relatable characters.

Moral Sentiment: A philosophical concept in which emotions play a crucial role in determining moral judgments and ethical behavior, often reflected in literature during the 18th century.