• Gopal Chauta

William Congreve’s The Way of the World , premiered in early March 1700 in the theatre in Lincoln's Inn Fields in London , is widely regarded as a masterpiece of Restoration comedy, embodying the wit, elegance, and satirical edge that define the genre. Set against the backdrop of late 17th-century English society, the play offers a penetrating exploration of the political, social, and cultural concerns of its time. Written during a period of significant transition following the Restoration of the monarchy and the Glorious Revolution, the play reflects a society grappling with changes in governance, class structure, gender relations, and cultural identity. This paper aims to examine how Congreve intricately weaves political, social, and cultural commentary into the fabric of his comedic narrative. Politically, the play mirrors the anxieties of a newly stabilized constitutional monarchy and the shifting power dynamics within the aristocracy. The themes of inheritance, legal authority, and control over property subtly echo the period's concerns about legitimacy and governance. Socially, The Way of the World dissects the complex rituals of courtship, marriage, and reputation. Congreve critiques the transactional nature of marriage in upper-class society, exposing it as a mechanism for securing wealth and social status rather than a romantic or moral institution. The character of Millamant, in particular, challenges traditional gender norms, asserting female agency within a patriarchal framework. Culturally, the play captures the manners, fashions, and conversational style of the Restoration elite. Wit and language become tools of power, and social standing is often determined by one’s ability to navigate the subtle games of flirtation and intrigue. Congreve uses satire to highlight the performative and often hypocritical nature of social decorum.

Courtship, Gender, Flirtation, Romantic, Patriarchal, Marriage, Cultural

"Political, Social, and Cultural Dimensions in William Congreve’s The Way of the World", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.12, Issue 4, page no.m743-m750, April-2025, Available :http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2504C95.pdf

"Political, Social, and Cultural Dimensions in William Congreve’s The Way of the World", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org | UGC and issn Approved), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.12, Issue 4, page no. ppm743-m750, April-2025, Available at : http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2504C95.pdf