Sentimental Comedy: Difference between revisions
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New form of comedy established in Britain between 1690 and the early eighteenth century. | |||
Due to the new moral tone and spirit in society in the late seventeenth century and the fact that from the | Due to the new moral tone and spirit in society in the late seventeenth century and the fact that from the 1680s merchants and their wives, who were supporters of this new tone, had begun to attend the theatre more frequently a new form of comedy found its way on the stage. | ||
The Sentimental comedy confronts us with a mixture of comedy, as in [[Restoration Comedy]], and pathos. This linking of the two forms led to the creation of two alternative labels: "weeping comedy" and "comedy of sentiments". | The Sentimental comedy confronts us with a mixture of comedy, as in [[Restoration Comedy]], and pathos. This linking of the two forms led to the creation of two alternative labels: "weeping comedy" and "comedy of sentiments". | ||
Absolute virtues like the sanctity of marriage, the life of the family and the care of the weak are dealt with. The first of which had been | Absolute virtues like the sanctity of marriage, the life of the family and the care of the weak are dealt with. The first of which had been ridiculed in Restoration comedy, the other two had simply been neglected. | ||
The plays often present an explicit moral reference, usually given in the fifth act, which led to the invention of the term "fifth-act reform". | The plays often present an explicit moral reference, usually given in the fifth act, which led to the invention of the term "fifth-act reform", or "fifth-act repentance". | ||
A typical example for the "fifth-act reform" can be found in Richard Steele's ''The Lying Lover'', where the author himself states in the preface: | A typical example for the "fifth-act reform" can be found in Richard Steele's ''The Lying Lover'', where the author himself states in the preface: | ||
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== Sources == | == Sources == | ||
Williams, Raymond. | Williams, Raymond. "Sentimentalism and Social History". In: McMillin, Scott. ''Restoration and Eighteenth-Century Comedy''. New York, London: Norton & Company, 1997, pages??. | ||
Revision as of 17:42, 22 July 2009
New form of comedy established in Britain between 1690 and the early eighteenth century.
Due to the new moral tone and spirit in society in the late seventeenth century and the fact that from the 1680s merchants and their wives, who were supporters of this new tone, had begun to attend the theatre more frequently a new form of comedy found its way on the stage.
The Sentimental comedy confronts us with a mixture of comedy, as in Restoration Comedy, and pathos. This linking of the two forms led to the creation of two alternative labels: "weeping comedy" and "comedy of sentiments". Absolute virtues like the sanctity of marriage, the life of the family and the care of the weak are dealt with. The first of which had been ridiculed in Restoration comedy, the other two had simply been neglected. The plays often present an explicit moral reference, usually given in the fifth act, which led to the invention of the term "fifth-act reform", or "fifth-act repentance".
A typical example for the "fifth-act reform" can be found in Richard Steele's The Lying Lover, where the author himself states in the preface: "He makes false love, gets drunk, and kills a man, but in the fifth act awakens from his debauch with the compunction and remorse which is suitable to a man's finding himself in a gaol."
Examples
Colley Cibber: Love's Last Shift (1696), The Careless Husband (1705)
Richard Steele: The Lying Lover (1704)
Sources
Williams, Raymond. "Sentimentalism and Social History". In: McMillin, Scott. Restoration and Eighteenth-Century Comedy. New York, London: Norton & Company, 1997, pages??.