The Way of the World and Other Plays

By William Congreve

Book Overview

With piercing accuracy William ongreve depicted the shallow brittle world of 'society' where the right artifice in manners fashion and conversation--and money--eased the passage to success. Through sparkling witty dialogue and brilliant characterisation--Lady Plyant Valentine Lady Touchwood Mirabell and Millamant--Congreve exposed the follies and vanities of that world and suggested that behind the glinting mirror lay something more brutal.

'The language is everywhere that of Men of Honour but their Actions are those of Knaves; a proof that he was perfectly well acquainted with human Nature and frequented what we call polite company.' --Voltaire

'Congreve quitted the stage in disdain and comedy left it with him.' --A contemporary

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0141441852
• ISBN13: 9780141441856
• Release Date: August 2006
• Publisher: Penguin Classics
• Length: 416 Pages
• Weight: 0.66 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.2" x 7.8"
• Age Range: 18 years and up
• Grade Range: Postsecondary and higher