Comedy of Manners, Comedy of Manners Summary, Comedy of Manners Essay, Comedy of Manners in History of English literature

Comedy of Manners

Introduction

          Comedy of Manners is a major form of comedy in English literature, especially popular during the Restoration Period after 1660. When theatres reopened, playwrights started focusing on the lifestyle of the upper-class society. This type of comedy presents a realistic yet satirical picture of fashionable people, highlighting their artificial manners, hypocrisy, and moral weakness. The main objective of Comedy of Manners is entertainment through wit, irony, and sharp dialogue, while indirectly criticising social behaviour.

Major Features / Characteristics of Comedy of Manners

     1. The first important feature is the upper-class social setting. The plays mainly deal with rich and fashionable people living in London.

     2. Wit and repartee dominate the plays. The humour comes from intelligent and quick verbal exchanges rather than action.

     3. Another key feature is satire. Social customs, false morality, and artificial behaviour of high society are mocked openly.

     4. Comedy of Manners also uses stock characters like the rake, the coquette, the fop, and the hypocrite, who represent social types.

     5. Love and marriage are treated lightly. Marriage is shown as a social and economic contract, not a romantic bond.

     6. Another key feature is moral ambiguity. Immoral characters are often successful, reflecting the pleasure-loving attitude of Restoration society.

Major Writers of Comedy of Manners

• William Wycherley exposed social hypocrisy in plays like The Country Wife.

• William Congreve refined this form with polished wit in The Way of the World.

• Sir George Etherege portrayed elegant and fashionable society in The Man of Mode.

• Sir John Vanbrugh added social criticism, especially about marriage, in The Provoked Wife.

Conclusion

            Comedy of Manners is an important literary form that presents a sharp and realistic picture of Restoration society. Through wit, satire, and clever dialogue, it exposes social hypocrisy and artificial values of the upper class. Despite its decline, it remains significant for its artistic quality and social insight. 

Comedy of Manners in Tamil 👇 

Comedy of Manners

INTRODUCTION

          Comedy of Manners is an important form of comedy in the history of British literature. It developed mainly during the Restoration Period after 1660, when theatres were reopened in England. This form of comedy focuses on the manners, behaviour, and social customs of the upper-class society. It presents a humorous and satirical picture of fashionable people and exposes their artificial lifestyle, hypocrisy, and moral weakness. The purpose of Comedy of Manners is not to teach moral lessons but to entertain the audience through wit, irony, and clever dialogue while indirectly criticising society.

MAJOR FEATURES / CHARACTERISTICS OF COMEDY OF MANNERS

1. Upper-Class Social Setting

Comedy of Manners is mainly concerned with the lives of rich, aristocratic, and fashionable people. The action usually takes place in London drawing rooms, clubs, or elegant houses. Middle-class and lower-class life is generally ignored.

2. Wit and Repartee

Wit and repartee are the most important features of Comedy of Manners. The humour arises from sharp, intelligent, and quick exchanges of dialogue between characters. Characters try to outsmart each other through clever language rather than physical action.

3. Satirical Portrayal of Society

Comedy of Manners presents a satirical picture of society. It mocks social conventions, artificial behaviour, and false values of the upper class. Through humour and irony, it exposes the emptiness and corruption hidden behind polite manners.

4. Well-Constructed Plots

The plots of Comedy of Manners are carefully planned and complex. They often involve misunderstandings, secret relationships, disguises, and clever twists. However, the plot mainly supports the dialogue and character interaction rather than dominating the play.

5. Stock or Typical Characters

Comedy of Manners uses stock characters who represent social types. These include the rake who is immoral pleasure-seeker but charming, the coquette who enjoys flirting, the fop who is obsessed with fashion, and the hypocrite who pretends to be moral. These characters are exaggerated for comic effect.

6. Treatment of Love and Marriage

In Comedy of Manners, love is treated lightly and without deep emotion. Marriage is shown as a social or economic arrangement rather than a romantic union. Money, status, and convenience are more important than true affection.

7. Moral Ambiguity

Comedy of Manners does not clearly support moral values or condemn immoral behaviour. Characters who behave badly are often rewarded rather than punished. This moral ambiguity reflects the relaxed and pleasure-loving attitude of Restoration society.

8. Artificial and Polished Atmosphere

The atmosphere of Comedy of Manners is artificial and sophisticated. Characters behave in a controlled and formal manner, and emotions are rarely shown deeply. The focus remains on intelligence and style rather than natural feelings.

MAJOR WRITERS OF COMEDY OF MANNERS

1. William Wycherley (1641–1716)

William Wycherley is one of the earliest and boldest writers of Comedy of Manners. His plays clearly expose the hypocrisy and immorality of Restoration upper-class society. He presents marriage and morality as artificial social institutions and uses sharp satire to attack false respectability.

Major Works:

• The Country Wife (1675) – It exposes sexual hypocrisy and double standards in marriage.

• The Plain Dealer (1676) – It satirises false friendship and social pretence.

2. William Congreve (1670–1729)

William Congreve is considered the greatest and most polished writer of Comedy of Manners. His plays are famous for refined wit, balanced structure, and intelligent dialogue. He presents upper-class society with maturity and subtle satire. His characters speak brilliant dialogue, and the comedy arises mainly from wit and repartee rather than action.

Major Works:

• Love for Love (1695) – It presents love, money, and marriage as social negotiations.

• The Way of the World (1700) – It is the finest example of Comedy of Manners with complex plot and social satire.

3. Sir George Etherege (1635–1692)

Sir George Etherege is known for introducing elegance and fashionable tone to Comedy of Manners. His plays focus on stylish London life and carefree aristocrats. He presents love as a game and marriage as a social arrangement. His characters are light-hearted, witty, and morally relaxed, which reflects Restoration society.

Major Works:

• She Would If She Could (1668) – It shows flirtation and freedom in love.

• The Man of Mode (1676) – It presents fashionable society and the character of the witty rake.

4. Sir John Vanbrugh (1664–1726)

Sir John Vanbrugh contributed to Comedy of Manners by adding strong satire and social criticism. His plays expose unhappy marriages and the position of women in society. Though humorous, his works also highlight serious social issues behind polite manners.

Major Works:

• The Relapse (1696) – It satirises moral reform and social hypocrisy.

• The Provoked Wife (1697) – It criticises unhappy marriage and male dominance.

All these writers are called writers of Comedy of Manners because their plays focus on upper-class society, use wit and satire, treat love and marriage lightly, and expose social hypocrisy through clever dialogue.

DECLINE OF COMEDY OF MANNERS

          Comedy of Manners began to decline at the end of the seventeenth century. Society gradually became more moral and serious, and audiences started criticising the immorality and vulgarity of Restoration plays. The rise of middle-class values and the popularity of Sentimental Comedy also contributed to its decline. As a result, Comedy of Manners lost its dominance in English drama.

CONCLUSION

          Comedy of Manners holds an important place in the history of British literature. It provides a realistic and satirical picture of Restoration society and exposes the artificial behaviour and moral ambiguity of the upper class. Through wit, repartee, and clever dialogue, it entertains while indirectly criticising social conventions. Despite its decline and moral criticism, Comedy of Manners remains significant for its literary quality and its reflection of social life in Restoration England.

Comedy of Manners in Tamil 👇 

1. When did Comedy of Manners mainly develop?

2. What does Comedy of Manners mainly focus on?

3. What creates humour in Comedy of Manners?

4. How is love shown in Comedy of Manners?

5. Which type of characters are used?

6. Who is the greatest writer of Comedy of Manners?

7. What is the main aim of Comedy of Manners?

8. What type of atmosphere is shown?

9. Why did Comedy of Manners decline?

10. Which play is the best example of Comedy of Manners?