William Congreve wrote this racy farcical comedy full of disguises and misunderstandings. Many Restoration comedies are full of frivolous humor. Not so in this case. The underlying themes of sexual ethics, good government and gender roles are cloaked in catchy dialogue and a well-developed plot.

William Congreve was an English playwright and poet of the Restoration Period. After writing five highbrow sexual comedies his plays lost favor and he stopped writing. The Way of the World was first preformed in 1700. The two main characters are the lovers Mirabell and Millamant. In order for them to wed they must receive Millamant's aunt's blessing. The aunt is a mean old lady who wants her nephew to marry the fair maid. As typical of Restoration drama there are plot twists, misunderstandings and humor typical of the period.