William Congreve
Author
Language
English
Description
"The Way of the World" by William Congreve is a quintessential Restoration comedy, renowned for its witty dialogue and intricate plot. Set in the fashionable society of London in the early 18th century, the play is a satirical exploration of love, marriage, and money. Congreve's masterpiece centers on the relationship between Mirabell and Millamant, two lovers who must navigate a maze of intrigue, deception, and societal expectations to be together.
Congreve's...
Author
Language
English
Description
Valentine has fallen under the displeasure of his father by his extravagance, and is besieged by creditors. His father, Sir Sampson Legend, offers him enough to pay his debts if he will sign a bond engaging to make over his right to his inheritance to his younger brother Ben. Valentine, to escape from his embarrassment, signs the bond. He is in love with Angelica, who possesses a fortune of her own, but so far she has not yielded to his suit. Sir...
Author
Language
English
Description
The Old Bachelor is Heartwell, a surly old pretended woman-hater, who falls in love with Silvia, not knowing her to be the forsaken mistress of Vainlove, and is lured into marrying her, only discovering her true character afterwards, from the gibes of his acquaintances. The parson who has been brought in to marry them, however, is in fact Vainlove's friend Belmour, who has assumed the disguise for the purpose of an intrigue with Laetitia, the young...
Author
Language
English
Description
Touchwood, about to marry Cynthia, daughter of Sir Paul Plyant. Lady Touchwood, a violent and dissolute woman, is in love with Mellefont, but as he rejects her advances, determines to prevent the match and ruin him in Lord Touchwood's esteem. In this design she finds a confederate in Maskwell, the Double Dealer, who has been her lover, pretends to be Mellefont's friend, and aspires to cheat him of Cynthia and get her for himself.