Restoration Comedy: A Literary Genre

Restoration Comedy: Genre

Restoration Comedy, a distinctive genre that flourished in the late 17th century, emerged as a response to the sociopolitical transformations following the restoration of Charles II to the English throne in 1660. This theatrical genre, characterized by its witty dialogue, intricate plots, and satirical undertones, serves as a mirror to the evolving societal norms and values of the post-Cromwell era. Playwrights such as William Congreve and William Wycherley contributed significantly, crafting works that feature stock characters engaging in clever wordplay and navigating intricate social webs. The genre’s thematic focus on love, marriage, infidelity, and manners is entwined with a sharp critique of the upper classes, exposing their hypocrisies and excesses. Moreover, the intricate language and elaborate settings of Restoration Comedy contribute to a nuanced exploration of moral ambiguity, challenging traditional values and gender roles. In essence, Restoration Comedy stands as a dynamic theatrical form that not only entertained audiences with its humor and wit but also provided a critical lens through which to examine the societal shifts and complexities of its historical milieu.

Main Points

• Restoration Comedy emerged in the late 17th century after the restoration of Charles II to the English throne in 1660.
• Characterized by witty dialogue, intricate plots, and satirical undertones.
• Prominent playwrights include William Congreve and William Wycherley.
• Features stock characters engaging in clever wordplay and navigating complex social scenarios.
• Thematic focus on love, marriage, infidelity, and manners.
• Sharp critique of the upper classes, exposing hypocrisies and excesses.
• Intricate language and elaborate settings contribute to a nuanced exploration of moral ambiguity.
• Challenges traditional values and gender roles within its narrative structure.
• Stands as a dynamic theatrical form that entertained audiences while providing a critical lens for examining societal shifts and complexities.

Restoration Comedy: Types

Type of Restoration Comedy	Description	Examples
Comedy of Manners	Focused on satirizing the manners and social behaviors of the upper class. Characters navigate complex social situations with wit and wordplay.	The Way of the World by William Congreve, The Country Wife by William Wycherley
Sentimental Comedy	Introduced more emotional depth and moral lessons into the comedic structure. Characters grapple with genuine feelings and moral dilemmas.	The Conscious Lovers by Richard Steele, The Recruiting Officer by George Farquhar
Farce	Characterized by exaggerated, improbable situations and physical humor. Often included mistaken identities and absurd plot twists.	The Beaux’ Stratagem by George Farquhar, The Man of Mode by George Etherege
Satirical Comedy	Focused on social or political satire, using humor to critique specific societal elements, including politics, fashion, and cultural trends.	The Relapse by John Vanbrugh, The School for Scandal by Richard Brinsley Sheridan
Restoration Tragedy	While not strictly comedic, these plays emerged during the same period and shared some stylistic elements. Featured complex plots and heightened emotions.	All for Love by John Dryden, Venice Preserv’d by Thomas Otway
Romantic Comedy	Blended elements of romance with comedic situations. Explored themes of love and courtship in a lighter, more humorous manner.	Love for Love by William Congreve, She Stoops to Conquer by Oliver Goldsmith

Restoration Comedy: Writers

Writers:

• William Congreve: Renowned for his mastery of wit and dialogue, he wrote some of the most celebrated comedies of the period.
• William Wycherley: Known for his biting satires, his works often exposed the hypocrisy of the upper class.
• George Farquhar: Blended humor and sentiment, contributing to both the comedy of manners and sentimental comedy.
• John Vanbrugh: Notable for his bold and daring plays, including satirical comedies and a significant work in the Restoration tragedy genre.
• George Etherege: An early contributor to the genre, known for his stylish and sophisticated plays.

Works:

• The Way of the World by William Congreve: A quintessential example of the comedy of manners, highlighting social intricacies and complex relationships.
• The Country Wife by William Wycherley: Notorious for its explicit content and satirical take on marital relations in the upper class.
• The Beaux’ Stratagem by George Farquhar: Blending farce with social commentary, this work is known for its humor and intricate plotting.
• The Relapse by John Vanbrugh: A satirical comedy that includes witty dialogue and explores the theme of marital infidelity.
• The Man of Mode by George Etherege: An early example of the comedy of manners, capturing the fashionable and witty society of the time.

Style:

• Wit and Wordplay: Restoration Comedy is characterized by its clever dialogue, wordplay, and linguistic dexterity.
• Satire: A prominent feature, with playwrights satirizing the manners, morals, and societal norms of the upper class.
• Complex Plots: Plots often involved intricate webs of relationships, mistaken identities, and elaborate schemes.
• Elaborate Settings: Urban settings, lavish costumes, and detailed stage designs contributed to the genre’s visual appeal.
• Exploration of Morality: The plays often delved into moral ambiguity, challenging traditional values and societal expectations.
• Sexual Innuendo: The comedies frequently incorporated explicit sexual innuendos and situations for comedic effect.

Restoration Comedy: Key Features

Key Features	Description	Examples
Wit and Wordplay	Clever and sophisticated dialogue, often laden with puns and double entendres.	The Way of the World by William Congreve, The Country Wife by William Wycherley
Satire	Sharp critique of the upper classes, exposing hypocrisy, excesses, and societal norms.	The School for Scandal by Richard Brinsley Sheridan, The Relapse by John Vanbrugh
Complex Plots	Intricate webs of relationships, mistaken identities, and elaborate schemes.	The Beaux’ Stratagem by George Farquhar, The Man of Mode by George Etherege
Elaborate Settings	Urban settings, lavish costumes, and detailed stage designs contributing to visual appeal.	The Rover by Aphra Behn, The Country Wife by William Wycherley
Exploration of Morality	Delving into moral ambiguity, challenging traditional values, and societal expectations.	The Conscious Lovers by Richard Steele, The Recruiting Officer by George Farquhar
Sexual Innuendo	Frequent incorporation of explicit sexual innuendos and situations for comedic effect.	The Country Wife by William Wycherley, The Rover by Aphra Behn
Stock Characters	Representing societal archetypes, such as fops, witlings, and coquettes.	She Stoops to Conquer by Oliver Goldsmith, The Beaux’ Stratagem by George Farquhar
Gender Role Exploration	Playing with traditional gender roles, including cross-dressing on stage.	The Roaring Girl by Thomas Middleton and Thomas Dekker, The Country Wife by William Wycherley
Romantic and Sentimental Elements	Blending romance with comedic situations, introducing emotional depth and moral lessons.	The Conscious Lovers by Richard Steele, Love for Love by William Congreve

These features collectively define the distinctive nature of Restoration Comedy and showcase the diversity within the genre.

Restoration Comedy: Best Examples and Features

lay Title	Author	Key Features
The Way of the World	William Congreve	Witty dialogue, intricate plots, keen satire of the upper class.
The Country Wife	William Wycherley	Explicit content, sharp satire, focus on marital relations in the upper class.
The Beaux’ Stratagem	George Farquhar	Blend of farce and social commentary, complex plots, humor.
The School for Scandal	Richard Brinsley Sheridan	Satirical comedy, sharp critique of societal norms, memorable characters.
The Relapse	John Vanbrugh	Satirical elements, witty dialogue, exploration of marital infidelity.
The Man of Mode	George Etherege	Early example of comedy of manners, showcasing fashionable and witty society.
She Stoops to Conquer	Oliver Goldsmith	Blend of romantic comedy with comedic situations, memorable characters.
The Conscious Lovers	Richard Steele	Introduction of sentimental elements, moral lessons, exploration of genuine feelings.
The Rover	Aphra Behn	Elaborate settings, exploration of morality, blend of romance with comedic situations.
Love for Love	William Congreve	Witty dialogue, exploration of romantic themes, satirical elements.

These plays collectively showcase the wit, satire, and complexity that define Restoration Comedy, making them noteworthy examples of the genre.

Restoration Comedy: Relevance in Literary Theories

Historical Criticism:

• Reflects Societal Changes: Provides a window into the cultural and societal shifts of the late 17th century after the restoration of Charles II.
• Political Commentary: Often includes satirical elements that critique political figures and events of the time.

Feminist Criticism:

• Gender Dynamics: Offers insights into the portrayal of gender roles and challenges traditional expectations.
• Cross-dressing and Empowerment: Examination of female characters challenging norms through cross-dressing and unconventional behavior.

Marxist Criticism:

• Class Struggles: Illuminates the social and economic disparities depicted in the lives and interactions of characters from different classes.
• Satirical Portrayals: Highlights satirical critiques of the upper class and its excesses.

Psychoanalytic Criticism:

• Exploration of Desires: Characters often grapple with complex desires, providing material for psychoanalytic interpretation.
• Moral Ambiguity: Offers a landscape of moral ambiguity and psychological intricacies.

New Historicism:

• Contextual Analysis: Emphasizes the importance of understanding the plays within the historical and cultural context of the Restoration period.
• Power Dynamics: Examines how power structures and social dynamics are reflected and critiqued in the plays.

Postcolonial Criticism:

• Colonial Contexts: Some plays explore colonial themes and encounters, providing material for postcolonial analysis.
• Cultural Hybridity: Addresses the blending of cultural elements and perspectives in the context of colonial encounters.

Deconstructionist Criticism:

• Language Play: With its witty dialogue and linguistic intricacies, Restoration Comedy provides ample material for deconstructionist analysis.
• Subversion of Norms: The genre often subverts traditional literary norms, offering opportunities for deconstructive interpretation.

Queer Theory:

• Exploration of Sexuality: The genre’s openness to sexual innuendo and exploration provides material for queer theory analysis.
• Gender Identity: Examination of gender identity, especially in plays involving cross-dressing and unconventional gender roles.

These perspectives demonstrate the rich tapestry of themes and elements within Restoration Comedy that make it a versatile and valuable subject for various literary theories.

Restoration Comedy: Relevant Terms

Term	Description
Comedy of Manners	Satirical portrayal of social behaviors in the upper class.
Wit and Wordplay	Clever and sophisticated use of language for humorous effects.
Satire	Critique of societal norms, often exposing hypocrisy and excesses.
Complex Plots	Intricate and often convoluted storylines involving mistaken identities.
Sentimental Comedy	Blends humor with emotional depth and moral lessons.
Farce	Exaggerated situations, physical humor, and absurd plot twists.
Restoration Tragedy	Tragic plays with elements of wit and style from the Restoration period.
Stock Characters	Archetypal figures representing societal roles and behaviors.
Sexual Innuendo	Inclusion of explicit or suggestive sexual elements for comedic effect.
Romantic Comedy	Blending of romance with comedic situations and resolutions.

Restoration Comedy: Suggested Readings

1. Congreve, William. The Way of the World. Edited by Brian Gibbons, New Mermaids, 1993.
2. Wycherley, William. The Country Wife. Edited by David Lindley, New Mermaids, 1985.
3. Farquhar, George. The Beaux’ Stratagem. Edited by Robert D. Hume, Broadview Press, 1995.
4. Sheridan, Richard Brinsley. The School for Scandal. Edited by Peter Holland, Oxford UP, 1999.
5. Etherege, George. The Man of Mode. Edited by Trevor J. McInerny, New Mermaids, 1982.
6. Behn, Aphra. The Rover. Edited by Jane Spencer, New Mermaids, 1995.
7. Congreve, William. Love for Love. Edited by Eric Rump, Broadview Press, 2012.

Read more on Literary Devices below:

• If-Then Logic: A Rhetorical Term
• If-Then Logic in Literature
• Simplistic Reasoning: A Rhetorical/Logic Term
• Simplistic Reasoning in Literature
• Subjunctive Mood: A Linguistic Term