Which of the following was a common theme in the 'Comedy of Manners'?
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Correct answer: The clash between London sophistication and country manners
Restoration Comedy of Manners frequently contrasted 'town' characters (witty, fashionable Londoners) with 'country' characters (portrayed as boorish and unsophisticated). This geographic social divide, where country values were mocked and urban wit was celebrated, was a defining feature of the genre.
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More Restoration Theatre questions
- Thomas Otway’s 'Venice Preserved' is a rare example of a Restoration ______ that gained lasting fame.
- How did Restoration audiences typically behave during a performance?
- Which 1660 event marked the official reopening of English theatres after an eighteen-year ban by the Puritan government?
- What was the most significant innovation regarding the cast during the Restoration period?
- Which dramatic sub-genre, exemplified by William Wycherley’s 'The Country Wife', is most closely associated with Restoration theatre?
- What architectural feature became standard in Restoration theatres to allow for movable, painted scenery?