Restoration: William Congreve

William Congreve (1670 – 1729) was an English playwright and poet (wikipedia). You should be familiar with his play The Way of the World. You should know the hallmarks of Restoration Comedy and how this work fits within them.

• Biography
• Works (etexts)
  • The Way of the World (1700)
    • Characters, Plot, Historical Context, Summary
    • Characters
    • etext

• "As you'll answer it, take heed This Slave commit no Violence upon Himself. I've been deceiv'd. The Publick Safety Requires he should be more confin'd; and none, No not the Princes self, permitted to Confer with him. I'll quit you to the King. Vile and ingrate! too late thou shalt repent The base Injustice thou hast done my Love: Yes, thou shalt know, spite of thy past Distress, And all those Ills which thou so long hast mourn'd; Heav'n has no Rage, like Love to Hatred turn'd, Nor Hell a Fury, like a Woman scorn'd. (from The Mourning Bride)