Restoration Comedy: Three Plays

'One no more owes one's beauty to a lover, than one's wit to an echo.'With the Restoration of the monarchy in 1660, the republican ban on organised theatre was lifted – and plays exploded back onto the public stage with newfound relish. The arrival of actresses for the first time encouraged a great sense of release, which expressed itself in the form of sophisticated comedies exploring the sexual behaviour and moralities of society.This volume features three of the most popular Restoration Comedies:The Country Wife by William Wycherley – a supremely bawdy comedy in which the aptly named Horner pretends to be a eunuch in order to seduce women under the noses of their husbands.The Way of the World by William Congreve – a brilliant comedy of manners, complete with dashing suitor, rich heiress and vengeful aunt.The Rover by Aphra Behn – the classic Restoration comedy by one of the earliest and most celebrated female playwrights.There is also a full introduction about the plays, playwrights and the period, and a glossary of unfamiliar words.The Drama Classic Collections bring together the most popular plays from a single author or a particular period. They offer students, actors and theatregoers a series of uncluttered, accessible editions, accompanied by comprehensive introductions.