📖Restoration Literature Unit 2 – Restoration Comedy: Theater's Revival

Historical Context

• Restoration period in England began in 1660 with the restoration of the monarchy under King Charles II following the Interregnum period
• Theaters, which had been closed during the Puritan rule, reopened, leading to a resurgence of dramatic works
• Charles II's court was known for its libertine atmosphere, influencing the bawdy and satirical nature of Restoration comedies
• The period saw a shift in theatrical tastes, with a preference for witty, sophisticated, and often risqué comedies
• Restoration comedies reflected the social and political changes of the time, including the rise of the middle class and the relaxation of moral standards
• The comedies often satirized the aristocracy and their excesses, as well as the social climbers attempting to emulate them
• The Restoration period lasted until the early 18th century, with the comedies of this era representing a distinct style and sensibility

Key Characteristics of Restoration Comedy

• Witty, fast-paced dialogue with frequent use of repartee, puns, and double entendres
• Satirical treatment of social norms, marriage, and sexual mores of the upper classes
• Focus on the "battle of the sexes," with strong, intelligent female characters often outwitting their male counterparts
• Plots revolving around love, courtship, and the pursuit of pleasure, often involving deception and disguise
• Characters representing stock types, such as the rake, the fop, the country bumpkin, and the witty heroine
• Emphasis on the importance of reputation and the fear of scandal in high society
• Frequent use of asides and soliloquies to reveal characters' inner thoughts and motivations
• Comedic resolution often involving the exposure of hypocrisy and the triumph of true love

Major Playwrights and Their Works

• William Wycherley (1641-1716)
  • Known for his satirical wit and biting social commentary
  • Notable works include "The Country Wife" (1675) and "The Plain Dealer" (1676)
• George Etherege (c. 1636-1692)
  • Credited with establishing the comedy of manners genre
  • Famous for his play "The Man of Mode" (1676)
• William Congreve (1670-1729)
  • Considered one of the greatest Restoration comedy writers
  • Renowned for his wit and elegant language
  • Major works include "The Old Bachelor" (1693), "The Double Dealer" (1694), and "The Way of the World" (1700)
• Aphra Behn (1640-1689)
  • One of the first professional female playwrights in England
  • Known for her witty and provocative comedies, such as "The Rover" (1677) and "The Feigned Courtesans" (1679)
• John Vanbrugh (1664-1726)
  • Architect turned playwright
  • Notable works include "The Relapse" (1696) and "The Provoked Wife" (1697)
• George Farquhar (1677-1707)
  • Irish playwright known for his lively, humorous comedies
  • Famous works include "The Recruiting Officer" (1706) and "The Beaux' Stratagem" (1707)

Themes and Social Commentary

• Marriage and the pursuit of wealth
  • Many plots revolve around characters seeking advantageous marriages for financial gain or social status
  • Satirizes the mercenary nature of marriage in high society
• Sexual politics and the battle of the sexes
  • Strong, witty female characters often challenge and subvert gender roles
  • Explores the power dynamics between men and women in courtship and marriage
• Deception and disguise
  • Characters frequently engage in deception, often through disguise or assumed identities, to achieve their goals
  • Highlights the superficiality and artifice of social interactions
• Exposing hypocrisy and social climbers
  • Comedies often satirize characters who pretend to be more virtuous or of a higher social standing than they truly are
  • Exposes the hypocrisy and vanity of the upper classes
• Libertinism and the pursuit of pleasure
  • Characters, particularly the rakes, prioritize the pursuit of pleasure and sexual conquests
  • Reflects the hedonistic atmosphere of Charles II's court and the relaxation of moral standards
• Town vs. country
  • Contrasts the sophistication and wit of city life with the simplicity and naivety of the country
  • Often features country characters being outwitted or corrupted by their urban counterparts

Theatrical Conventions and Staging

• Proscenium arch stage with a raised platform and a curtain
• Elaborate, realistic sets depicting interior spaces such as drawing rooms or bedchambers
• Lavish costumes reflecting the fashion of the upper classes
• Use of scenery flats and painted backdrops to create a sense of depth and perspective
• Frequent use of asides and soliloquies to reveal characters' thoughts and motivations directly to the audience
• Intimacy between actors and audience, with the audience often seated on the stage or in boxes adjacent to the stage
• Minimal use of props, with a focus on dialogue and character interactions
• Entrances and exits timed for comedic effect and to advance the plot

Character Types and Stock Characters

• The rake
  • A witty, charming, and sexually adventurous male character (Dorimant in "The Man of Mode")
  • Often the protagonist, seeking pleasure and engaging in various romantic intrigues
• The fop
  • An overly fashionable, effeminate, and often foolish male character (Sir Fopling Flutter in "The Man of Mode")
  • Provides comic relief through his excessive concern with appearance and social status
• The witty heroine
  • An intelligent, quick-witted, and independent female character (Millamant in "The Way of the World")
  • Often engages in verbal sparring with the rake and challenges traditional gender roles
• The country bumpkin
  • A naive, unsophisticated character from the country (Sir Wilfull Witwoud in "The Way of the World")
  • Often serves as a foil to the witty, urban characters and is the target of their ridicule
• The aging coquette
  • An older female character who still seeks to attract men and maintain her social standing (Lady Wishfort in "The Way of the World")
  • Provides comic relief through her vanity and desperation to secure a husband
• The scheming servant
  • A clever and manipulative servant who aids their master or mistress in their schemes (Waitwell in "The Way of the World")
  • Often possesses more wit and cunning than their social superiors

Language and Wit

• Rapid-fire, witty dialogue with frequent use of repartee
  • Characters engage in quick, clever exchanges, often trying to outwit or outmaneuver each other
  • Repartee serves to showcase the characters' intelligence and verbal dexterity
• Double entendres and innuendo
  • Frequent use of words or phrases with multiple meanings, often sexual in nature
  • Allows characters to discuss risqué topics while maintaining a veneer of propriety
• Puns and wordplay
  • Characters employ puns and play on words for comedic effect and to demonstrate their wit
  • Wordplay often highlights the characters' ability to manipulate language and meaning
• Elevated, elegant language
  • Characters, particularly those of high social standing, use refined, polished language
  • Reflects the importance placed on wit, intelligence, and verbal skill in Restoration society
• Verbal sparring and one-upmanship
  • Characters engage in verbal battles, attempting to outdo each other with clever remarks and insults
  • Demonstrates the competitive nature of social interactions and the value placed on wit
• Satirical jabs and social commentary
  • Dialogue often includes satirical comments on social norms, political events, and cultural trends
  • Allows playwrights to critique and mock the foibles and excesses of Restoration society

Legacy and Influence

• Established the comedy of manners as a distinct genre
  • Restoration comedies set the template for witty, satirical plays focused on the upper classes and their social interactions
  • Influenced later playwrights, such as Oliver Goldsmith and Richard Brinsley Sheridan
• Inspired adaptations and revivals
  • Restoration comedies have been adapted for modern audiences, often updating the setting and language while retaining the wit and social commentary
  • Notable adaptations include William Congreve's "The Way of the World" (1700) and George Etherege's "The Man of Mode" (1676)
• Influenced the development of the novel
  • The witty dialogue, social satire, and focus on character development in Restoration comedies helped shape the early English novel
  • Authors such as Henry Fielding and Jane Austen drew inspiration from the comedic style and themes of Restoration plays
• Contributed to the evolution of English drama
  • Restoration comedies marked a shift away from the morality plays and tragedies of earlier eras
  • Paved the way for the development of sentimental comedies and domestic dramas in the 18th century
• Provided insight into Restoration society and culture
  • The plays offer a glimpse into the social norms, values, and preoccupations of the Restoration period
  • Serve as valuable historical and cultural documents, reflecting the attitudes and concerns of the time
• Challenged and subverted gender roles
  • The strong, witty female characters in Restoration comedies challenged traditional gender roles and expectations
  • Paved the way for more complex and empowered female characters in later English literature