The Way of the World

William Congreve

Dover Publications, Jan 31, 1994 - Drama - 80 pages

Considered by many critics the finest of Restoration comedies, 'The Way of the World' is 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 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, delicius verbal battles of the sexes and scheming villains of both genders.

About the author

William Congreve was a playwright. He was born in February 1670 in Bardsey Grange, England. Congreve attended Trinity College, Dublin, and was admitted to the Middle Temple to study law. Congreve completed his first play, The Old Bachelor, in 1690. He became associated with John Dryden, collaborating with him on translations of the satires of Juvenal and Persius in 1693. Congreve's second play, Love for Love, was also successful and Congreve became a manager of the theater that staged it. Other plays followed, including The Way of the World in 1700. Congreve died on January 19, 1729.

Bibliographic information

• Title: The Way of the World; Dover thrift editions
• Author: William Congreve
• Edition: unabridged, reprint, revised
• Publisher: Dover Publications, 1994
• ISBN: 0486277879, 9780486277875
• Length: 80 pages
• Subjects: Drama / European / English, Irish, Scottish, Welsh