In The Way of the World by William Congreve, the characters often display a double standard of morality where they espouse traditional values and societal norms, yet their actions do not align with these ideals. The play is set in the Restoration era of England, a society known for its superficiality and insincerity.

For example, the main character, Mirabell, is a libertine who seduces and manipulates women, yet he is also a respected member of society. He is able to maintain his reputation as a gentleman by hiding his true nature and using his wit and charm to deceive others. Similarly, the character Fainall is a cuckolded husband who is publicly humiliated, yet he is also a hypocrite who has engaged in extramarital affairs.

Another example of this double standard comes out in the character of Lady Wishfort, a wealthy widow desperate for a husband but unwilling to give up her fortune and independence. She uses her wealth and status to manipulate men and control her destiny, yet society expects her to conform to the norm of a virtuous widow.

Furthermore, the play also exposes the ways in which people often use moral principles for their own gain. The character of Millamant, for example, is a witty and independent woman who is determined to marry for love, yet she uses her wit and charm to manipulate the men in her life and achieve her own ends.

In conclusion, Congreve's The Way of the World is a satirical play that exposes the superficiality and insincerity of societal morality in the Restoration era of England. Through the characters and their actions, Congreve critiques the double standard of morality that existed in the society, where people would espouse traditional values and societal norms but behave in ways that ran counter to those ideals.