Game of Love: Restoration Comedy

Though these Restoration plays broach similar themes, the methods and the outcomes are completely different, which graphically shows how much more conservative England had become by the late eighteenth century. Also as time moved forward, the emphasis changed from one on cuckoldry and the aristocracy to one on marriage as a contractual agreement and eventually progressed to the sentimental comedy, which seemed more interested in uplifting morals than anything else. As we look at the change, we see that, in many ways, the first plays were the most fun, even though they were the most obscene (according to a more traditional view). All along, though, we see a restoration of social order, in various forms. By looking at the changes, we can gain an insight into historical events.

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