What is a comedy of manners?
A comedic genre that satirizes the social behavior and values of a particular class or group.
Laughing at Social Conventions: The Comedy of Manners
The Comedy of Manners is a comedic genre that satirizes the social behavior and values of a particular class or group, often the upper classes.
This type of comedy gained popularity in the late 17th and early 18th centuries, often taking aim at the insincerity and shallowness of the British aristocracy. The genre uses wit, wordplay, and irony to highlight the absurdities of social conventions, manners, and attitudes of the time.
Characters in the Comedy of Manners are often well-educated, cynical, and manipulative, with their dialogue and actions revealing hypocrisy, vanity, and pretension. The humor arises from the conflict between the characters' public personas and their private motivations and desires.
Despite its historical context, the Comedy of Manners is still relevant today, as social conventions and values continue to evolve and be challenged. The genre provides a way to reflect on and critique societal norms with humor and wit, making it a valuable tool for creative writers to explore contemporary issues and attitudes.
Examples of the Comedy of Manners from well-known works of literature.
Wilde's play is a prime example of the Comedy of Manners, with its satirical and witty deconstruction of the Victorian upper class and their social pretensions. The play features a farcical plot and an abundance of wordplay, irony, and satire, all aimed at exposing the hypocrisy and ridiculousness of the social conventions and expectations of the time.
Another classic example of the Comedy of Manners, Austen's novel uses the conventions of the genre to draw attention to the absurdities of the Georgian-era middle class. Through the witty dialogue and social interactions of her characters, Austen exposes the vanity, pride, and materialism that she saw as prevalent in her society, particularly among the landed gentry.