One of the key figures in William Congreve’s satire The Way of the World is Mirabell. He is determined to marry the popular and desirable Millamant and engages in a variety of schemes to try to achieve this end. To that end, he already became involved with the young woman’s mother, Lady Wishfort—a controlling, manipulative woman who plays for her daughter to marry a wealthy, older man. Now he must counteract the negative impression he made, which requires him to use his wits.

Mirabell is important to the plot because he sets the wheels in motion for a set of complicated schemes that ultimately enable him to reach his goal of marrying Millamant. Through his developing relationship with Millamant, he is also crucial to the themes of social corruption and the importance of love and honesty. In the end, he has not only exposed the hypocrisy of contemporary society, but has realized that a successful marriage will be one of equals.

As a handsome, popular young man, Mirabell attracts the attention of many women and the animosity of the men with whom they are involved. Lady Wishfort developed a grudge against him after she realized he preferred her daughter, but he must gain her permission to marry. The comedic aspects of this scheme involve tricking Lady Wishfort by having Sir Rowland—really his disguised servant—court her. In addition, Mirabell must thwart the villainous Mrs. Marwood and her lover, Fainall.