Poonamduadlasses.com 8447662372 The Way of the World is a play written by the Enalish playwright William Congreve, First performance: 1700 Playwright: Wiliam Congreve ‘Gente: Restoration comedy William Congreve is the bést ahd finest writer of the comedy of manners. We may say that he haBifvented a new art of comedy. His ' The Way of the World’ is considered as a yotk of art and as a pure comedy of manners. itis the apotheosis of the comedy of mariners. Its a remarkable demonstration of Congreve's technical skill as a playwright This play is a'comedy of manners. Moreover, it gives a satirical take on the approach, ‘mannerism, and shortcomings of the privileged classes. Deception, greed and love are common throughout the way of the world Introduction: Itis about two lovers, Mirabell and Millamant, finding ways to marty each other and not losing the inheritance. Itis full of characters who are connected to each other in some way or the other. Moreover, it also exposes some of the dark secrets of the characters. \Mirabell and Milarvant wish to marry each other but are aviare Milamant's aunt, Lady Wishfort, won't allow it. They need her approval to inherit the fortune which ies in her hands. ‘Thus, i gives an interesting take on the lengths the couple goes to for achieving the same through whatever means, Beginning: It bogins in a chocolate house with Mirabell and Fainal playing cards, The curtain rises as Mirabell is defeated by Fainal in a random card game at the chocolate- house. The conversation reveals that Mirabell isin love with Millarmant but is intensely disliked by Millamant's guardian Lady Wishfort When Fainall leaves for a moment, a servant enters and infornié Mirabell that his valet ‘marriod that day. Mirabellis pleased because his marriages’ @ necossary prelude to some secret scheme — which is not revealed, PLOT Before the action ofthe play initiates, some e¥ents are supposed to have taken place. Mirabell, atypical young Restoration nfan)\but nota man of great wealth, has had an affair with Mrs. Fainall, the widowed daughter of Lady Wishfort. Mirabell has arranged a marriage between Mr. Fainall and the Mrs Fainall to protect her from disgrace in the event of pregnancy, Poonamduaclassed.com 8447662372Poonamduadlasses.com 8447662372 Wiliam Congreve (1670-1728) Fainall married the young widow because he wanted her fortune to support his courtship with Mrs. Marwood. In time, Mirabell found himself in love with Millarrant, the niece and ward of Lady Wishfort, and the cousin of his former mistreseSHe is strongly in the pursuit of gaining her for love and also for the wealth she possesges>6000 pounds of Millamant’s, fortune were under her own control, but the other hélty6,000 pounds, was controlled by Lady Wishfort. Mirabell made a plan in which he has artanged a fake uncle (Waitwell) to make Lady \Wishfor fallin love with him. Waitwalliarried to Foible, the maid of Lady Wishfort. He then plans to reveal the real idertiyot Waitwell and pretends to save her from this ‘mismatch. He thinks that he would gain lady Wishfort’s favor and consent to marry Millamant. When the play opens, Mirabel is eagerly waiting to hear that Waitwellis married to Foible. Mirabelts card'game with Mr. Fainall reveals their relationship is not good. Fainall has been twice tricked by Mirabell: Mrs. Fainal is Mirabelt's former mistress, and Mrs. Marwood, Fainall's former mistress, isin love with Mirabell Regrettably, Mrs. Marwood hears Mrs. Fainall and Foible discussing the scheme of Mirabell along with Miraboll and Mrs. Fainall's earlier love affair. She algo overhears insulting comments about herself, so, she is vengeful and immediatelfntorms Fainal ofthe plot and the fact that his wife was once Mirabell's mistress, The fixe-conspirators now have both ‘motive and means for revenge. In the same afternobr Millarrant accepts Mirabell's proposal and rejects Sir Wiull Witwoud, Lady Wishfor's candidate for her hand, Fainall, the conspirator, now leads the aétioh. He reveals the truth of Waitwel, the false uncle, and starts blackmailing Lady Wishfort with the threat of her daughter's disgrace. He demands that the balance of Willamant's fortune should be turned over to his sole control. In addition, he wants to be suré\tiat Lady to be the heir Poonamduaclasses,com™ 8447662372 fort will not marry so that Mrs. Fainall is certainPoonamduaclasses.com 8447662372 This plot of Fainalts is now challenged by Millamant. She says that she will marry Witfull to ll goes on insisting that he wants control of the rest of his wife's ‘money and immediate management of Lady Wishfort’s fortune. At the same time, Mirabell brings two servants to prove that Fainall and Mrs. Marwood were themselves guity of save her own fortune. Fait adultery. Fainall ignores the blame and points out that he will still create a dishonor which ‘would blacken the name of Mrs. Fainall if he does not get the money. forgives the servants and gives consent to the match of Mifabell and Millamant. coon The ye Wo er ‘The Way of the World summary revolves ardund marriage, infidelity as well as inheritance, it explores the human mind and wilingnossf.got what thay want through whatever means. Poonamduaclasses.com 8447662372