Though the play offers no overt critical investigation of social class, the distinctions of class figure in the natural world of the play. Various people of the country are mentioned and country people of lower-class backgrounds are usually given names that belong to farm animals (e.g., Hogsby). It is possible to argue, however, that the play’s concern with disguises and appearances could count as the play’s critique of social classes. 

Consider, for example, Marlow’s arc throughout the story. From one perspective, Marlow’s humiliations are a product of other people’s deceptions. Conversely, it is also plausible that his humiliations are a consequence of his assumptions and attitudes around class. He is dismissive of Mr. Hardcastle merely because he thinks he is an innkeeper. He also stammers and then becomes contemptuous of Kate when he perceives her as an upper-class woman. He is then romantically precocious with her when he thinks she is a bar-maid. Moreover, he is resistant to pursuing his own attractions in order to conserve his social standing. Throughout these encounters, it appears that Marlow lacks the ability to see through social class and assess people on an individual basis. This is in stark contrast with Tony, Kate, and Mr. Hardcastle, who have more relaxed relationships with social standing. It is this behavior of Marlow’s which Kate creatively tries to bypass through her disguise.