The Way of the World, first staged in 1700, is Congreve’s most renowned play. Many critics believe that in this work, Congreve achieved the pinnacle of Restoration comedy and contemporary social commentary.

For many, Alexander Pope is considered England's greatest wit. He often composed his works in "heroic couplets," which are rhymed pairs of iambic pentameter lines. While he conveyed his profound thoughts on religion, philosophy, and literature in his Essay on Man and Essay on Criticism, his extended poem The Rape of the Lock stands out as a sophisticated, humorous, and insightful satire of the upper-class morals of his—and Congreve’s—era.

The most detailed and comprehensive depiction of everyday life in Restoration London is found not in a play or poem, but in an extensive journal. Samuel Pepys’ diaries provide a vivid and engaging account of the social and political life of his time. Particularly captivating are his descriptions of the London theater, its audiences, and its customs.