Comedy of Manners · English Literature

The 'Double Entendre' is a common linguistic device in these plays. What does it entail?

  1. A phrase with two meanings, one of which is typically risque
  2. Repetition of a single word for poetic emphasis
  3. An extended speech in which a character directly addresses the audience while others are present on stage
  4. A rhyming couplet used to close a scene
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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.

Difficulty: Medium Question 13 of 20

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