Which dramatic sub-genre, exemplified by William Wycherley’s 'The Country Wife', is most closely associated with Restoration theatre?
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Correct answer: Comedy of Manners
The Comedy of Manners — exemplified by Wycherley's 'The Country Wife' (1675) — satirized the affectations, intrigues, and sexual mores of the upper classes through witty dialogue and a cynical view of marriage. Sentimental Comedy was a later 18th-century reaction that emphasised virtue and emotion rather than wit.
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- What architectural feature became standard in Restoration theatres to allow for movable, painted scenery?
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