William Congreve

One of the greatest of all Restoration comedies, "The Way of the World" William Congreve's masterpiece - a rich and knowing comedy of manners that not only satirizes the falsity, pretense and shallowness of the London society of his day, but also offers a depth of feeling, sensitivity, and polished phrasing that elevates the play far above other efforts in the genre. Delightfully entertaining, The Way of the World abounds in brilliant word play, delicious verbal battles of the sexes (some consider the famous scene between Mirabell and Millamant as one of the most profound analyses of the marriage relation ever written), and scheming villains of both genders. First presented in London in 1700, this comedy has charmed audiences for over 300 years.

The Way of the World by William Congreve "The Annotated Classic Edition" (A Restoration Comedy For All Ages)

Jasmine

MILLAMANT. Oh, the vanity of these men ! Fainall, d'ye hear him? If they did not commend us, we were not handsome ! Now you must know they could not commend one, if one was not handsome. Beauty the lover's gift ! Lord, what is a lover, that it can give? Why, one makes lovers as fast as one pleases, and they live as long as one pleases, and they die as soon as one pleases; and then, if one pleases, one makes more.

The Way of the World by William Congreve "The Annotated Classic Edition" (A Restoration Comedy For All Ages) quotes

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