The Way of the World
by William Congreve
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At a glance:
- Author: William Congreve
- First Published: 1700
- Type of Work: Drama
- Type of Plot: Comedy of manners
- Setting: London
- Characters: Lady Wishfort, Mrs. Fainall, Mrs. Millamant, Foible, Sir Wilfull Witwoud, Witwoud, Mirabell, Waitwell, Fainall, Mrs. Marwood
- Genres: Satire, Drama, Comedy of manners, High comedy
- Subjects: Love or romance, Marriage, England or English people, Seventeenth century, London, Servants, Aristocracy or aristocrats, Impostors or imposture
- Locales: Europe, London, England, United Kingdom
The Story:
Mrs. Millamant, by far the most beautiful and wittiest of all the fine ladies in London, is sought after by all the beaux in town. The niece of the rich Lady Wishfort, she is also an heir in her own right and is looked upon with great favor by Witwoud, a kinsman of Lady Wishfort. Millamant’s acknowledged preference among her suitors, however, is for young Mirabell, who is the only man in London who can match that lady’s devastating wit.
Mirabell is as great a favorite among the ladies in the town as Millamant is among the beaux. He is the perfect gallant;...
(The entire page is 2493 words.)
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Popular Questions
See all »- Why is "The Way of the World" considered to be a comedy of manners?
- Comment on the significance of the title of the play THE WAY OF THE WORLD by WILLIAM CONGREVE.
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- Discuss the character of Lady Wishfort in The Way of the World.
- Critically comment on the theme of Willaim Congreve's "The Way of the World."
