COMEDY OF MANNERS.

S.Y.B.A. (ENG)                                                                         

SEM : 3                                                                                    

CCE : 5                                                                                     

v COMEDY OF MANNERS.

It deals with behavior. It makes the fun of follies and weaknesses of people using satire.

The comedy of manners originated in the New Comedy of the Greek Menander, 342-292 BC and was developed by the roman dramatists Plautus and Terence in the third and second century BC. (The Old Comedy represented by Aristophanes, 450-385 BC.

The comedy of Manners questions and comments upon the manners and social conventions of greatly sophisticated life. It is based on the satire of fashion, manners and outlook on life of the social classes.

Comedy of manners often features Social commentary presented through witty dialogue and Often satirized the middle and upper classes of people.

William Shakespeare’s ‘Much ado about nothing’ might be considered the first comedy of manners in England. But genres really flourished during the restoration period. One of the greatest exponents of the comedy of manners was Moliere, who satirized the 17^th century French society.

In England, the comedy of manners has its great day during the restoration period, sometimes Restoration comedy used as synonym for comedy of manner. Restoration comedy of manners was lighter, more joyful and cheerful in tone. They criticize outward behavior of society, Materialistic nature of society.

A comedy of manners gives a satirical portrayal of the behavior of a certain group of people. Women were busy with outer representation, Gossip, rumours and Men were busy with alchoholic things.

Common areas of comedy of manners such as adultery, marriage, love, fortune etc. A playwright should have wit and talent to write a comedy of manners.

 

Works associated with comedy of manners.

The country wife by William Wycherley

She stoops to conquer by Oliver Goldsmith

The school for scandal by Richard Brinsley Sheridan

 

 

Writers related with the comedy of manners.

William Congreve

George Etherege

 William Wycherley

 John Vanbrugh

George Farquhar

 

Types of characters that playwrights used.

The fool

The schemer

The hypocrite

The jealous husband

 

Characteristics of Comedy of Manners.

1.     It is rich with wit, satire and gives the image of the time.

2.     The heroine is more important and interesting than the hero in the comedy of manners.

3.     Both hero and heroine are well dressed and witty.

4.     Genre is characterized by realism, social analysis and satire.

5.     Dialogue is witty, polished and crisped.