Pick an episode from a television "situation comedy" and analyze its dialogue in comparison to that of Private Lives. In what ways do they differ? How is humor in Coward's play created differently from the humor in the sitcom?

Coward is frequently likened to an earlier British playwright renowned for his satirical wit, Oscar Wilde. Read Wilde's The Importance of Being Earnest (1895) and compare and contrast it with Private Lives.

Imagine that Victor and Sybil divorce their current spouses after the play concludes and marry each other. Write a short description of their life together, attempting to use dialogue similar to that of Elyot and Amanda in Act II.

What do you think of Coward's perspective on marriage? What are your own views on the topic? Support your arguments with examples of married couples you have known.