English Literature – 1670 to 1850 Unit 3 Review: Comedy & Tragedy

Historical Context

• Restoration period began in 1660 with the return of Charles II to the English throne following the Puritan Commonwealth
• Marked a significant shift in English society, politics, and culture after a period of strict Puritan rule
• Theaters, which had been closed during the Puritan era, reopened, leading to a revival of dramatic arts
• The court of Charles II was known for its libertinism, wit, and sophistication, which influenced the tone of Restoration drama
• Restoration comedy often reflected the hedonistic and cynical attitudes of the aristocracy (e.g., The Country Wife)
• Restoration tragedy drew inspiration from heroic romances and emphasized grandeur, spectacle, and heightened emotions (e.g., The Conquest of Granada)
• The period saw the emergence of professional female actors on the English stage for the first time

Key Characteristics

• Restoration comedy is known for its witty dialogue, sexual innuendo, and satirical portrayal of society and manners
• Comedies often featured stock characters such as the rake, the fop, the jealous husband, and the witty heroine
• Plots frequently revolved around love intrigues, marriage, and the battle of the sexes
• Restoration tragedy is characterized by its heroic themes, elevated language, and exploration of honor, love, and duty
• Tragedies often featured larger-than-life characters, such as noble heroes and villains, caught in conflicts of passion and ambition
• Both comedy and tragedy incorporated elements of spectacle, including elaborate costumes, scenery, and special effects
• Plays were written in a combination of prose and heroic couplets, with a focus on clever wordplay and rhetorical flourishes

Major Playwrights

• William Wycherley (1641-1716) was a prominent Restoration playwright known for his biting satires of social mores (The Country Wife, The Plain Dealer)
• George Etherege (c. 1636-1692) was an early master of the comedy of manners, known for his witty and risqué plays (The Man of Mode, She Would If She Could)
• John Dryden (1631-1700), better known as a poet, also wrote several influential heroic tragedies and comedies (All for Love, Marriage à la Mode)
• Aphra Behn (c. 1640-1689) was one of the first professional female playwrights and a pioneering voice in Restoration drama (The Rover, The Feigned Courtesans)
• William Congreve (1670-1729) was a master of the comedy of manners, known for his elegant wit and sophisticated plots (The Way of the World, Love for Love)
• Thomas Otway (1652-1685) was a leading tragic playwright, known for his emotionally intense and psychologically complex works (Venice Preserved, The Orphan)

Notable Works

• The Country Wife (1675) by William Wycherley is a biting satire of marriage and sexual hypocrisy, featuring the notorious rake Horner
• The Man of Mode (1676) by George Etherege epitomizes the wit and sophistication of Restoration comedy, with its charming libertine hero, Dorimant
• All for Love (1677) by John Dryden is a tragic retelling of the Antony and Cleopatra story, emphasizing the characters' psychological struggles and the destructive power of passion
• The Rover (1677) by Aphra Behn is a lively and subversive comedy that challenges gender roles and social conventions through its cross-dressing heroine, Hellena
• Venice Preserved (1682) by Thomas Otway is a dark and emotionally intense tragedy that explores themes of political corruption, betrayal, and self-sacrifice
• The Way of the World (1700) by William Congreve is considered the pinnacle of Restoration comedy, with its intricate plot, sparkling dialogue, and battle of wits between lovers

Themes and Motifs

• Restoration comedy often satirizes the fashionable society of the time, exposing the follies and vices of the aristocracy
• The theme of marriage is central to many comedies, with plots revolving around the pursuit of wealth, status, and sexual conquest through matrimony
• Restoration tragedy frequently explores the conflict between love and honor, with characters torn between their passions and their duties
• The motif of disguise and role-playing is prevalent in both comedy and tragedy, with characters adopting false identities or personas to achieve their goals
• The theme of the battle of the sexes is prominent in comedy, with witty and assertive female characters challenging male dominance and hypocrisy
• Restoration drama often grapples with the tension between appearance and reality, with characters navigating a world of deception, gossip, and social masks

Theatrical Conventions

• Restoration plays were performed on proscenium arch stages, with a clear separation between the audience and the actors
• Scenery and stage machinery became more elaborate, allowing for spectacular visual effects and scene changes
• Actors delivered their lines in a declamatory style, emphasizing wit, rhetoric, and emotional intensity
• Asides and soliloquies were frequently used to reveal characters' inner thoughts and motivations
• Music and dance were often incorporated into performances, particularly in comedies, to enhance the entertainment value
• Audiences were vocal and interactive, with members of the aristocracy often seated on the stage itself

Social and Cultural Impact

• Restoration drama reflected and shaped the values, tastes, and concerns of the English upper classes in the late 17th century
• The plays' frank treatment of sexual themes and social satire pushed the boundaries of acceptable content on the stage
• The emergence of professional female actors challenged traditional gender roles and opened up new possibilities for women in the theater
• Restoration comedy's witty and sophisticated style influenced the development of English prose and helped establish the comedy of manners as a distinct genre
• The plays' portrayal of fashionable society and its vices contributed to a broader cultural fascination with wit, elegance, and social performance
• Restoration drama's emphasis on spectacle and visual pleasure paved the way for the development of more elaborate stage productions in the 18th century

Legacy and Influence

• Restoration drama had a lasting impact on English literature and theater, with its wit, satire, and exploration of social mores
• The comedy of manners pioneered by Restoration playwrights influenced later writers such as Oscar Wilde and Noël Coward
• Restoration tragedy's emphasis on heroic themes and heightened emotions influenced the development of sentimental drama and melodrama in the 18th and 19th centuries
• The plays' frank treatment of sexual themes and social satire helped pave the way for more daring and realistic portrayals of human behavior on the stage
• Restoration drama's legacy can be seen in modern adaptations and reinterpretations of classic plays, as well as in the enduring popularity of the witty, sophisticated comedy of manners genre
• The period's theatrical innovations, such as the use of elaborate scenery and the emergence of celebrity actors, helped shape the modern entertainment industry