Sheridan’s The School for Scandal as an eighteenth-century comedy of manners

The School for Scandal

Richard Brinsley Sheridan

Q. Consider Sheridan’s The School for Scandal as an eighteenth-century comedy of manners.

Answer: Sheridan's The School for Scandal is a prime example of an eighteenth-century comedy of manners. In this type of play, the focus is on the manners, behavior, and social conventions of the upper classes. The characters are typically members of the aristocracy or wealthy bourgeoisie, and the plot revolves around their romantic relationships, social status, and gossip.

The School for Scandal is set in the fashionable high society of London in the late eighteenth century. The play centers around the lives of two brothers, Charles and Joseph Surface, who are both vying for the affections of the same woman, Maria. Along the way, we see the characters engaging in a series of witty and often biting conversations, full of gossip and social commentary.

One of the key features of a comedy of manners is the use of language to reveal character and social status. The characters in The School for Scandal speak in a highly stylized and sophisticated manner, often using clever wordplay and subtle insults to assert their dominance over one another. The play is filled with witty one-liners, such as Lady Sneerwell's remark that "one may be too cautious in avoiding slander, as well as in spreading it."

There are several elements of the comedy of manners that are present in the play, The School for Scandal:

The use of disguise: Disguise is a common feature in the comedy of manners, and it is used in The School for Scandal to great effect. For example, Charles Surface disguises himself as a moneylender in order to test the loyalty of his friend, Sir Oliver.

The theme of love and marriage: In the comedy of manners, romantic relationships and the pursuit of marriage are often central themes. In The School for Scandal, the characters are all involved in complex romantic entanglements, and the play explores the tensions and conflicts that arise from these relationships.

The portrayal of society: The comedy of manners often portrays society as a corrupt and superficial place, where people are more concerned with their own status and reputation than with genuine human connection. The School for Scandal is no exception, and the play skewers the hypocrisy and shallowness of high society in late eighteenth-century London.

Satirical commentary: Finally, the comedy of manners often includes satirical commentary on the social norms and conventions of the time. The School for Scandal is full of witty and cutting observations about the foibles of the aristocracy, and the play uses humor to expose the absurdity of many of the social conventions of the day.

Another important element of the comedy of manners is the focus on appearance and reputation. In The School for Scandal, characters are obsessed with maintaining their social status and avoiding scandal. The play portrays a society in which reputation is everything, and characters will go to great lengths to protect their image, even if it means spreading malicious rumors or engaging in deceitful behavior.

Overall, Sheridan's The School for Scandal is a prime example of an eighteenth-century comedy of manners. Through its portrayal of witty dialogue, social commentary, and the obsession with reputation and appearance, the play captures the essence of high society in the eighteenth century.

*****

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