Explore this Show

Overview

Synopsis

One of the most popular Restoration comedy of manners escapades, William Congreve’s The Way of the World follows the story of Edward Mirabell and his love Millamant. To ensure the inheritance of Millamant’s dowry, the two need the consent of her disdainful and difficult aunt, Lady Wishfort. However, Lady Wishfort does not approve of their union and instead wants her own nephew, Sir Wilful, to marry Millamont. Within this conflict are the eavesdropping and fickle Mrs. Marwood - a former lover of Mirabell - who is having an affair with Fainall (the husband of her friend), Foible and Waitwell’s secret wedding, and the mysterious Sir Rowland, a suitor to Mrs. Wishfort. How will Mirabell and Millamant get consent (and the money) for their marriage? Will Fainall’s affairs be revealed? Who is Sir Rowland? The Way of the World is a true satiric examination of the affectations and manners of an upper-class society, with a witty bite that continues centuries later.

Show Information

Category
Play
Age Guidance
Youth (Y)/General Audiences (G)
Number of Acts
5
First Produced
1700
Genres
Comedy, Satire, Romance
Settings
Period, Multiple Settings
Time & Place
London, 1700s
Cast Size
medium
Licensor
None/royalty-free
Ideal For
College/University, Community Theatre, High School, Professional Theatre, Regional Theatre, Mostly Female Cast, Includes Young Adult, Adult, Late Teen Characters, Medium Cast

Context

Sorry, we currently do not have content for this section.

Plot

Characters

Name Part Size Gender Vocal Part

Mirabell

Lead

Male

Millamant

Lead

Female

Fainall

Supporting

Male

Mrs. Marwood

Supporting

Female

Mrs. Fainall

Supporting

Female

Lady Wishfort

Supporting

Female

Foible

Supporting

Female

Sir Wilfull Witwoud

Supporting

Male

Waitwell

Supporting

Male

Witwoud

Supporting

Male

Petulant

Supporting

Male

Mincing

Featured

Female

Betty

Featured

Female

Songs

Sorry, we currently do not have content for this section.

A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.

Monologues

All monologues are the property and copyright of their owners.. Monologues are presented on StageAgent for educational purposes only. If you would like to give a public performance of this monologue, please obtain authorization from the appropriate licensor.

Scenes

All scenes are the property and copyright of their owners. Scenes are presented on StageAgent for educational purposes only. If you would like to give a public performance of this scene, please obtain authorization from the appropriate licensor.

Key Terms

Sorry! We do not currently have terms for this guide.

Videos

Sorry! We do not currently have videos for this guide.

Quizzes

Themes, Symbols & Motifs

Sorry! We do not currently have learning modules for this guide.

Quote Analysis

Sorry! We do not currently have learning modules for this guide.

Guide Written By:

Cindi Calhoun

Cindi Calhoun

Theatre teacher, director, writer, and seamstress