Restoration Theatre · English Literature

William Congreve’s 'The Way of the World' is often cited as the peak of the Comedy of Manners because of its:

  1. Its extreme violence and deliberately tragic ending
  2. Its intricate plot and brilliantly polished wit
  3. Its simple moral lessons aimed at the working class
  4. Its detailed focus on rural English country life
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Correct answer: Its intricate plot and brilliantly polished wit

Though 'The Way of the World' (1700) struggled at the box office on opening, it is now celebrated as the pinnacle of the Comedy of Manners for its intricate legal sub-plots and the sophisticated verbal sparring between Mirabell and Millamant.

Difficulty: Medium Question 8 of 20

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