Comedy of the Eighteenth Century (Hardcover)  | Released: 1992

Restoration Comedy has been attacked from different quarters for its immorality and profaneness. Eighteenth Century Comedy is very much the product of and reaction to the comedy of the previous age. The author studies eighteenth century comedy as a crusade against the immorality and profaneness of the Restoration Comedy. The study critically analyses works of some of the major comedy writers, viz., Etherege, Dryden, Wycherley, Shadwell, Congreve etc. Emphasis on the reforming zeal of the early-Eighteenth century writers, viz., Cibber, Steele, Vanbrugh, Farquhar etc. adds great significance to the book and enhances its importance for the scholars of English literature.Table of Contents: Section I. The Perspective1. Social and Political Background; 2. English Comedy from 1660 to 1700; 3. The Restoration Comedy and its CriticsSection II. The Playwrights4. Cibber and his contemporaries; 5. Steeles Comedies: The Funeral; 6. The Lying Lover; 7. The Tender Husband: Or, The Accomplished Fools; 8. The Conscious LoversSection III. The Problem and Issues9. Social Reform; 10. Moral and Sentimental Strain; 11. Marriage and Comedy; 12. The Status of Women; 13. Conclusion; Appendices; 14. Life and Career of Richard Streele; 15. Steeles Contribution to Drama; Bibliography; Index