Comedy of Manners Practice Questions
40 free Comedy of Manners practice questions for the English Literature. Tap an option to answer — you get instant feedback, the correct answer, and a detailed explanation for every question.
Which of the following is the defining characteristic of the 'Comedy of Manners' genre during the Restoration period?
- A A focus on the simple, virtuous lives of rural peasants and farm workers
- B The heavy use of slapstick violence and broad physical comedy
- C A satirical look at the social conventions of the aristocratic elite
- D The exploration of tragic and religious themes through moral allegory
Correct answer: A satirical look at the social conventions of the aristocratic elite
The Comedy of Manners satirizes the manners, affectations, and sexual intrigues of the aristocratic social elite. It relies heavily on verbal wit and the tension between public reputation and private desire.
In William Congreve’s 'The Way of the World', which famous scene involves the negotiation of marital conditions between Mirabell and Millamant?
- A The Duel Scene
- B The Proviso Scene
- C The Closet Scene
- D The Cuckold Scene
Correct answer: The Proviso Scene
The 'Proviso Scene' is a hallmark of the genre, where the lovers set strict, witty conditions for their marriage. It highlights the era's concern with maintaining individual autonomy and avoiding social embarrassment within a legal union.
Which character archetype is defined as a person who over-affects fashion and wit, only to be ridiculed by the 'true wits'?
- A The Rake
- B The Ingenue
- C The Fop, obsessed with fashion and superficial wit
- D The Bawd
Correct answer: The Fop, obsessed with fashion and superficial wit
The Fop (or Beau) is a stock character obsessed with French fashion and superficial social graces. While he believes himself to be sophisticated, his lack of genuine intellect makes him a target for the play's true wits.
Who is the author of 'The Country Wife' (1675), a play notorious for its scandalous 'China Scene'?
- A George Etherege, known for 'The Man of Mode'
- B William Wycherley
- C John Vanbrugh, author of 'The Relapse'
- D Aphra Behn
Correct answer: William Wycherley
William Wycherley wrote 'The Country Wife', considered one of the most cynical and sexually explicit examples of Restoration comedy. The 'China Scene' uses double entendre to mask a sexual encounter occurring offstage.
Which Restoration playwright was the first professional woman writer in England, known for 'The Rover'?
- A Mary Astell
- B Susanna Centlivre
- C Aphra Behn, who wrote 'The Rover'
- D Anne Finch
Correct answer: Aphra Behn, who wrote 'The Rover'
Aphra Behn was a ground-breaking figure who wrote 'The Rover' (1677). Her work often featured strong female characters and explored the complexities of forced marriage and sexual freedom.
What is the primary function of 'Wit' (esprit) in the Comedy of Manners?
- A To provide direct moral instruction and edify the audience
- B To serve as a weapon for social dominance and sexual attraction
- C To explain the complex theological background underlying the plot's action
- D To make the language accessible and entertaining to lower-class audience members
Correct answer: To serve as a weapon for social dominance and sexual attraction
In this genre, 'Wit' is the ultimate currency; it is used by characters to navigate social hierarchies and engage in verbal sparring. A character's ability to produce clever repartee usually signals their worth as a protagonist.
In Wycherley’s 'The Country Wife', what ruse does Mr. Horner use to gain access to the wives of jealous husbands?
- A He disguises himself as a pious clergyman to enter religious households
- B He claims to be a wealthy foreign prince seeking a diplomatic wife
- C He spreads a rumor that he is an eunuch due to disease
- D He dresses as a female fortune teller to gain access to private homes
Correct answer: He spreads a rumor that he is an eunuch due to disease
Horner's 'great stratagem' is to feign impotence, convincing husbands like Pinchwife that he poses no threat to their wives' honor. This allows him to be left alone with the women, leading to numerous adulterous affairs.
The term 'Restoration' in Restoration Comedy refers to the return of which monarch to the English throne?
- A William of Orange
- B Charles II
- C James II
- D Queen Anne
Correct answer: Charles II
The Restoration began in 1660 when Charles II was restored to the throne. This event ended the Puritan ban on theaters and brought French theatrical influences, such as the use of actresses and the proscenium arch, to England.
Which play by George Etherege features the definitive 'true wit' Dorimant and the archetypal fop Sir Fopling Flutter?
- A The Man of Mode
- B Love in a Tub
- C She Would if She Could
- D The Constant Couple
Correct answer: The Man of Mode
'The Man of Mode' (1676) is often cited as the quintessential Comedy of Manners. It establishes the contrast between the polished, sometimes cruel rake-hero Dorimant and the ridiculous, fashion-obsessed fop Sir Fopling Flutter.
What significant physical change occurred in English theaters during the Restoration that affected the performance of comedies?
- A The removal of roofs to allow natural daylight into theaters
- B Women were for the first time permitted on stage as professional actresses
- C The raucous standing pit for common playgoers was abolished by royal decree
- D Plays switched from English to performing exclusively in Latin
Correct answer: Women were for the first time permitted on stage as professional actresses
Before the Restoration, female roles were played by young boys. Charles II's decree allowed women on stage, which revolutionized the Comedy of Manners by introducing genuine sexual chemistry and the 'breeches role'.
Which of these is a common plot motif in the Comedy of Manners?
- A The murder of a king followed by a ghost's appearance
- B The struggle of a young hero to slay a dragon
- C An inheritance contingent upon a specific marriage
- D The migration of a family to the New World
Correct answer: An inheritance contingent upon a specific marriage
Many plots center on legalistic and social hurdles regarding money and marriage. Wills, dowries, and 'marriage settlements' provide the framework for the characters' romantic and social maneuvering.
Who wrote 'The Provoked Wife' (1697), a play that questioned the permanence of marriage and the double standard for infidelity?
- A William Congreve
- B John Vanbrugh
- C George Farquhar
- D Richard Sheridan
Correct answer: John Vanbrugh
John Vanbrugh's 'The Provoked Wife' explored more realistic and darker domestic themes compared to earlier Restoration plays. It features Lady Brute, who contemplates adultery as a response to her husband's verbal and emotional abuse.
The 'Double Entendre' is a common linguistic device in these plays. What does it entail?
- A A phrase with two meanings, one of which is typically risque
- B Repetition of a single word for poetic emphasis
- C An extended speech in which a character directly addresses the audience while others are present on stage
- D A rhyming couplet used to close a scene
Correct answer: A phrase with two meanings, one of which is typically risque
Double entendre was essential for bypassing censorship while signaling sexual subtexts to the audience. It allowed playwrights to maintain a surface level of 'manners' while engaging in 'gallant' or lewd humor.
In 'The Way of the World', which character serves as the villainous foil to Mirabell, attempting to steal Lady Wishfort's fortune?
- A Mr. Fainall
- B Witwoud
- C Petulant
- D Sir Wilfull Witwoud
Correct answer: Mr. Fainall
Fainall is the dark counterpart to Mirabell; while Mirabell uses wit to secure his love and fortune, Fainall uses malice and deception. He represents the 'false wit' and the mercenary nature of the society.
Which critic wrote 'A Short View of the Immorality and Profaneness of the English Stage' (1698), attacking the Comedy of Manners?
- A Samuel Johnson
- B John Dryden
- C Jeremy Collier
- D Alexander Pope
Correct answer: Jeremy Collier
Jeremy Collier's attack blamed playwrights for the perceived moral decay of society. His pamphlet was highly influential and contributed to the shift toward more 'Sentimental Comedy' in the 18th century.
George Farquhar’s 'The Beaux' Stratagem' (1707) is noted for shifting the Comedy of Manners in which direction?
- A Toward a much more violent, tragic conclusion
- B Away from London toward the provincial countryside
- C Back toward the religious morality plays of the Middle Ages
- D Toward the total elimination of female characters
Correct answer: Away from London toward the provincial countryside
Farquhar moved the setting to Lichfield, away from the typical London drawing rooms. This late example of the genre introduced more human warmth and social realism, signaling the end of the traditional Restoration style.
What is the typical social setting for a Comedy of Manners?
- A A rural farmhouse during harvest season
- B A battlefield on the outskirts of the city
- C Drawing rooms, coffee houses, and St. James's Park
- D A mythical forest inhabited by supernatural spirits and creatures
Correct answer: Drawing rooms, coffee houses, and St. James's Park
The genre is urban and sophisticated, set in the places where the fashionable elite of London gathered to see and be seen. These settings emphasize the public nature of the 'manners' being satirized.
In the context of this genre, what is a 'Rake'?
- A A pastoral metaphor drawn from actual agricultural practice
- B A charming, amoral man devoted to pleasure, wit, and seduction
- C A comic manservant who blunders his way through physical farce
- D An elderly miser who jealously hoards a young woman's fortune and suitors
Correct answer: A charming, amoral man devoted to pleasure, wit, and seduction
The Rake (or Libertine) is the typical hero of the genre. He is characterized by his pursuit of pleasure and his disregard for traditional morality, though he is usually redeemed by his superior wit and eventual marriage.
Which character in 'The Way of the World' is an elderly woman obsessed with staying young and being courted?
- A Millamant, Mirabell's witty beloved
- B Lady Wishfort
- C Mrs. Marwood
- D Foible, the lady's maid
Correct answer: Lady Wishfort
Lady Wishfort (whose name suggests 'wish for it') is a comic character who fears aging. She controls the inheritance of the younger characters, making her a central figure in the play's marriage plots.
Which 18th-century playwright revived the Comedy of Manners style with 'The School for Scandal'?
- A Oliver Goldsmith
- B Richard Sheridan
- C Samuel Richardson
- D Henry Fielding
Correct answer: Richard Sheridan
Sheridan's 'The School for Scandal' (1777) returned to the wit and social satire of the Restoration after decades of Sentimental Comedy dominance. He updated the genre to be less licentious but equally sharp in its critique of gossip and hypocrisy.
Which playwright is credited with bridging the gap between the Restoration Comedy of Manners and the more moralistic Sentimental Comedy of the 18th century?
- A William Wycherley
- B George Farquhar
- C John Vanbrugh
- D Thomas Otway
Correct answer: George Farquhar
George Farquhar, particularly in 'The Beaux' Stratagem', introduced a greater sense of morality and social realism, signaling a shift away from the cynical libertinism of the early Restoration.
The 'China Scene' in William Wycherley's 'The Country Wife' is a famous example of which literary device?
- A Double entendre
- B Deus ex machina
- C Soliloquy
- D Pathetic fallacy
Correct answer: Double entendre
The 'China Scene' uses 'china' as a transparent and scandalous double entendre for sexual encounters, a staple of the genre's bawdy wit.
Which character in 'The School for Scandal' serves as the hypocritical 'Man of Sentiment' who is eventually exposed?
- A Charles Surface
- B Joseph Surface
- C Sir Peter Teazle
- D Snake
Correct answer: Joseph Surface
Joseph Surface pretends to be a man of high moral standards ('sentiments') while plotting behind the scenes, contrasting with his honestly dissolute brother, Charles.
What was the 'Proscenium Arch' innovation in Restoration theaters designed to facilitate?
- A The use of moveable, painted scenery
- B Audience participation
- C Much better acoustics for large choral singing performances
- D Outdoor performances during winter
Correct answer: The use of moveable, painted scenery
The introduction of the Proscenium Arch allowed for the use of shutters and wings to create deep, perspective-driven scenery, enhancing the visual spectacle of the comedy.
In William Congreve's 'The Way of the World', what is the legal obstacle preventing Mirabell from marrying Millamant immediately?
- A Millamant's dowry is controlled by Lady Wishfort
- B Mirabell is secretly already married to Mrs. Fainall
- C The King has banned secret marriages
- D Mirabell has been exiled from London
Correct answer: Millamant's dowry is controlled by Lady Wishfort
A significant portion of Millamant's fortune is dependent on Lady Wishfort's consent, which she refuses because Mirabell previously offended her.
Who wrote 'She Stoops to Conquer', a late 18th-century play that rejected 'Sentimental Comedy' in favor of 'Laughing Comedy'?
- A Oliver Goldsmith
- B Richard Brinsley Sheridan
- C Henry Fielding
- D John Gay
Correct answer: Oliver Goldsmith
Oliver Goldsmith's 'She Stoops to Conquer' (1773) was a reaction against the overly moralistic 'sentimental' plays of the time, aiming to return humor to the stage.
What distinguishes a 'True Wit' from a 'Witwoud' in Restoration drama?
- A A True Wit has natural intelligence; a Witwoud only mimics wit
- B A True Wit is wealthy, while a Witwoud is poor
- C A True Wit is always a female character; a Witwoud is always male
- D A True Wit supports the monarchy, whereas a Witwoud is a Republican
Correct answer: A True Wit has natural intelligence; a Witwoud only mimics wit
The 'Witwoud' (as seen in Congreve’s work) is a character who tries too hard to be clever but lacks the effortless intellect of the hero.
Which of these is the subtitle of Aphra Behn’s most famous comedy, 'The Rover'?
- A The Banish'd Cavaliers
- B A School for Wives
- C The Mistakes of a Night
- D The Virtuous Wife
Correct answer: The Banish'd Cavaliers
'The Rover; or, The Banish'd Cavaliers' (1677) follows a group of exiled English Royalists in Naples during Carnival.
What is the primary motive behind the 'Proviso Scene' in 'The Way of the World'?
- A To arrange a duel between rival suitors for her hand
- B To settle an outstanding gambling debt between friends
- C To set marriage terms that preserve each partner's independence
- D To plan the secret overthrow of Lady Wishfort's whole household
Correct answer: To set marriage terms that preserve each partner's independence
In this famous scene, Millamant and Mirabell negotiate the terms of their future life together to ensure they don't lose their identities in the 'dwindling' state of marriage.
Which actress was famously known as the 'Mighty Virgin' and often played the witty, chaste heroines in Congreve's plays?
- A Nell Gwyn the comedienne
- B Elizabeth Barry
- C Anne Bracegirdle
- D Mary Betterton
Correct answer: Anne Bracegirdle
Anne Bracegirdle was celebrated for her virtue and her professional partnership with William Congreve, often playing the role of Millamant.
What social class is almost exclusively depicted and satirized in the Restoration Comedy of Manners?
- A The rural peasantry and farm laborers of the countryside
- B The emerging industrial working class of the cities
- C The urban upper-class aristocracy and the landed gentry
- D The clergy and academic scholars of the universities
Correct answer: The urban upper-class aristocracy and the landed gentry
The genre focuses on the sophisticated, often idle lives of the London elite, their fashions, scandals, and social codes.
In 'The Man of Mode', what does the protagonist Dorimant do that exemplifies the 'Rake' archetype?
- A He abandons his entire inheritance to live as a hermit
- B He juggles several mistresses while courting an heiress
- C He writes poetry praising the King's piety and moral virtue
- D He joins the army abroad to escape his many creditors
Correct answer: He juggles several mistresses while courting an heiress
Dorimant’s manipulation of Mrs. Loveit and Bellinda while wooing Harriet is the quintessential behavior of the Restoration Rake.
How did the reopening of theaters in 1660 change the gender dynamics of the English stage?
- A Women were banned from attending the public theater entirely
- B Female roles began to be played by women, not young boys
- C Men were no longer permitted to write comedies at all
- D Theaters became strictly segregated by gender and rank
Correct answer: Female roles began to be played by women, not young boys
One of the most significant changes of the Restoration was the legal introduction of professional actresses to the English stage.
The character of 'Mrs. Malaprop' in Sheridan's 'The Rivals' is famous for what linguistic habit?
- A Speaking only in rhyming couplets during arguments
- B Comically misusing long words that sound similar
- C Refusing to speak to anyone of a lower social rank
- D Using French phrases to sound more sophisticated
Correct answer: Comically misusing long words that sound similar
A 'malapropism' is named after her character; she famously says things like 'she's as headstrong as an allegory on the banks of the Nile.'
Which play features a character named Sir Peter Teazle, who has married a much younger woman from the country?
- A The Country Wife, by Wycherley
- B The Way of the World, by William Congreve
- C The School for Scandal, by Sheridan
- D The Constant Couple, by Farquhar
Correct answer: The School for Scandal, by Sheridan
Sir Peter Teazle is a central character in Sheridan's 'The School for Scandal', dealing with the domestic turbulence of his marriage to the young Lady Teazle.
What is the function of the 'Fop' character in relation to the play's hero?
- A To act as a physical threat to the hero in a duel
- B To provide a moral compass for the hero to follow
- C To serve as a foil who lacks the hero's true wit
- D To help the hero navigate his own financial ruin
Correct answer: To serve as a foil who lacks the hero's true wit
The Fop's obsession with outward appearance and failed wit makes the hero's natural grace and intelligence look superior by comparison.
Which of these works was a direct response to the perceived immorality of the Restoration stage, leading to a 'cleaning up' of comedies?
- A The Spectator, the widely-read periodical essays of Addison and Steele
- B A Short View of the Immorality and Profaneness of the English Stage
- C The Dunciad, Alexander Pope's satirical mock-epic poem about dunces
- D An Essay on Dramatic Poesy, John Dryden's critical dialogue on drama
Correct answer: A Short View of the Immorality and Profaneness of the English Stage
Jeremy Collier's 1698 pamphlet sparked a massive public debate and pressured playwrights to move toward more sentimental and moral themes.
In Wycherley's 'The Plain Dealer', the character Manly is noted for his:
- A Extreme politeness and refined social grace
- B Misanthropic honesty and hatred of hypocrisy
- C An obsession with the latest French fashion
- D Cowardice whenever real danger presents itself
Correct answer: Misanthropic honesty and hatred of hypocrisy
Manly is a 'plain dealer' who detests the superficialities and lies of the London social scene, providing a satirical critique of the genre's typical values.
The 'Comedy of Manners' is often criticized for being 'elitist' because it:
- A Only allows kings and queens to be its protagonists
- B Requires familiarity with social codes to get the jokes
- C Was, according to legend, performed only in Latin
- D Refused to show any characters who weren't university educated
Correct answer: Requires familiarity with social codes to get the jokes
The humor often relies on an 'in-crowd' knowledge of fashion, etiquette, and linguistic subtlety, excluding those outside the upper-class circle.
What is the typical resolution for the protagonists in a Comedy of Manners?
- A Death by suicide or by a fatal duel of honor
- B Financial ruin followed by exile to the country
- C A marriage of love, wit, and financial security
- D Joining a monastery or a convent for good
Correct answer: A marriage of love, wit, and financial security
Comedies of Manners usually end with a 'proper' marriage match that satisfies both the romantic desires of the wits and the economic requirements of their class.