William Congreve wrote Restoration comedy in which courtship, money and social performance are negotiated through some of the period's most polished dialogue. The Way of the World follows Mirabell and Millamant as they try to marry without surrendering independence or fortune, surrounded by plots involving inheritance, jealousy and reputation. Love for Love and The Double Dealer similarly use financial dependence, sexual rivalry and deception to expose the calculations beneath fashionable manners. Congreve's wit depends on balanced sentences, rapid repartee and characters who understand that conversation itself is a form of social power. The plays are less action-heavy than many modern comedies but reward attention to language and bargaining. His work fits Restoration drama, comedy of manners and classic British theatre. Read more Less
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