内容简介
AftertherestorationofKingCharlesIItotheBritishthronein1660,dramatistsexperiencednewfreedominanagethatbrokefromthestrictmoralityofpuritanruleandinwhicheleganceandwitbecamethechiefvirtues.Irreverent,licentiousandcynical,thethreeplayscollectedhereholdupamirrortothisdazzlingeraandsatirizethegulfbetweenappearancesandreality.InEtherege's"TheManofMode"(1676),thewomanizingDorimantmeetshismatchwhenhefallsinlovewiththeunpretentiousHarriet,whileWycherley's"TheCountryWife"(c.1675)depictstherakishHornerwhofakesimpotencetofooltrustinghusbandsintogivinghimeasyaccesstotheirwives.AndinCongreve's"LoveforLove"(1695),theextravagantValentinecanonlywinhisbelovedAngelicaifheloseshisinheritance.