Restoration comedy of manners
A dramatic genre of 17th-century Restoration theatre (1660-1700) featuring witty dialogue, romantic intrigues, and social satire. Comedies of manners mock artificial social conventions, sexual hypocrisy, and pretentious behaviour through exaggerated characters and clever repartee.
Real World
William Congreve's The Way of the World (1700) centres on Millamant and Mirabell negotiating marriage terms in the famous 'proviso scene' — their witty sparring satirises a society where marriage is more about property and reputation than love.
Exam Focus
Analyse how Restoration dialogue enacts social critique through wit — identify what the repartee reveals about gender and power dynamics.
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