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
- ISBN10 0141441852
- ISBN13 9780141441856
- Publish Date 27 April 2006
- Publish Status Active
- Out of Print 26 January 2021
- Publish Country GB
- Publisher Penguin Books Ltd
- Imprint Penguin Classics
- Format Paperback (B-Format (198x129 mm))
- Pages 416
- Language English
- URL https://penguinrandomhouse.com/books/isbn/9780141441856