ENGL 100 Lecture Notes - Grosvenor Square, Ancient Greek Comedy
16 Apr 2013
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The importance of being earnest by oscar wilde. Comedy: a dramatic work that treats themes and characters with humour and usually has a happy ending. New comedy: depends on outrageous plots, mistaken identities, young lovers and conniving servants. Comedy of manners: focuses on the manners and customs of society and directs its satire against characters who violate social conventions and rules of behavior. William archer, review of the first production 1895. For wilde, the job of a critic is not to delve beneath the surface of art but to study that surface and its representations. I feel bound to tell you that you are not down on my list of eligible young men, although i have the same list as the dear. However, i am quite ready to enter your name, should your answers be what a really affectionate mother requires. Jack: well, yes, i must admit i smoke. Lady bracknell: i am glad to hear it.
