The Restoration Comedy is one of the most entertaining and influential parts of 18th-century British literature. It began after 1660, when King Charles II was restored to the English throne. During his exile in France, Charles had experienced the lively theatre culture of Paris, and after returning to England, he reopened theatres that had been closed during the Puritan rule. This period is called the Restoration Age, and the plays written during this time are known as Restoration Comedies. These plays reflected the manners, wit, and social life of the upper class in London.
What is Restoration Comedy
Restoration Comedy, also known as Comedy of Manners, focused on the social behavior, fashion, love affairs, and clever conversations of the aristocracy. The plays were full of witty dialogues, satire, and romantic intrigue. The main aim was not to teach morals but to entertain and mirror high society. These comedies showed human weakness — like hypocrisy, jealousy, and pretension — in a humorous way.
Historical Background
The period after the restoration of monarchy in 1660 brought freedom, wealth, and pleasure back to England. The strict Puritan code was replaced with a culture of fun and luxury. Theatres became fashionable again, and for the first time, women were allowed to act on stage. Writers began creating plays that represented the manners of the elite class, filled with lively characters and romantic scandals.
Features of Restoration Comedy
Comedy of Manners: Focused on social manners, love affairs, and fashionable city life. Satire and Wit: Characters often used sharp, intelligent dialogues to expose hypocrisy. Stock Characters: Fops (fashionable men), rakes (immoral lovers), witty heroines, and jealous husbands were common. Realistic Settings: Plays were set in drawing rooms or gardens, showing London’s upper class. Immorality: Love, flirtation, and deception were frequent themes. Brilliant Dialogue: Language was polished, rhythmic, and full of clever remarks.
Major Playwrights and Their Works
William Wycherley – The Country Wife, The Plain Dealer (Exposed hypocrisy and double standards of high society). William Congreve – The Way of the World, Love for Love (Perfected the Comedy of Manners with wit and sophistication). George Etherege – The Man of Mode (Introduced the figure of the witty, elegant rake). Aphra Behn – The Rover (First professional woman playwright; blended romance and intrigue). Richard Brinsley Sheridan – The Rivals, The School for Scandal (Revived the Restoration spirit later in the 18th century with moral satire).
Themes of Restoration Comedy
Love and Marriage: Often based on convenience, not emotion. Infidelity: Affairs and deception were treated humorously. Social Satire: Criticized fashion, pride, and pretension. Gender Roles: Women became strong and witty characters who could challenge men. Hypocrisy of Society: Focused on how people pretend to be moral but act otherwise.
Influence on British Literature
Restoration Comedy shaped the English stage for the next century. Its realistic dialogue, wit, and urban humor influenced later dramatists like Sheridan and Oscar Wilde. Even modern sitcoms and romantic comedies carry traces of Restoration wit and irony.
Conclusion
Restoration Comedy marked a new beginning in English drama. It reflected the freedom, elegance, and complexity of Restoration society. With its lively characters, witty exchanges, and social commentary, it remains a timeless part of 18th-century British literature.