“The Way of the World” as a Comedy of Manners.

Answer

What do you mean by Comedy of Manners? Justify “The Way of the World” as a comedy of manners.

A Comedy of Manners is a funny play. It shows the silly lifestyle of rich people. These people live in big cities and follow high society rules. They talk in a clever and funny way. Their main goal is love, money, fashion, and gossip. These plays make fun of lies, cheating, and fake love. William Congreve’s (1670-1729) “The Way of the World” (1700) is a good example. It shows the funny and foolish life of rich people. It has all the things of a Comedy of Manners.

City Life and Rich People: This play shows rich people in London. They go to parties and play cards. They talk in a clever and joking way. They do not care about truth or kindness. They only care about love, marriage, and money. Lady Wishfort, Millamant, and Fainall live like this. They follow high society rules. In the following way, Fainall makes a humorous remark about city women.   

“Now I remember, last night was one of their cabal-nights: they have ’em three times a week and meet by turns at one another’s apartments, to sit upon the murdered reputations of the week.”

Fake Love and Marriage: In this play, marriage is not for love. It is for money or gain. Mirabell wants to marry Millamant for her money. Through the subsequent words, Mirabell falsely shows his love for Millamant.

“I like her with all her faults; nay, like her for her faults.”

Lady Wishfort wants her daughter to marry a rich man. Mrs. Fainall once loved Mirabell and then married Fainall. Nobody truly loves each other. Love is a tool to get something. This fake love makes the story funny and sad. So, the play clearly shows false love and marriage. 

Wit and Clever Talk: This play is full of wit. The people talk in smart and funny ways. They use jokes and sharp words. Millamant