Talk:The Man of Mode

"Since Etherege himself typified a lot what was characteristic for the Restoration ethos he was able to equip the play with an uncompromising realism": not at all. The play follows the classical plot formula, most of the characters are types (with telling names: Sir Fopling, the fop; Old Bellair, the old man; Lady Townley, from the town). Dorimant is an idealised rake. The lengthy plot summary alone should hint at the fact that the play is a construct and far from both reality and realism.

"Later on Harriet´s mother and Old Bellair feel attracted to each other": not at all.

"In each case the woman with whom the young man falls in love with is not the one who returns his love": not at all. Young Belair loves Emilia who loves him back. Both Loveit and Belinda "love" Dorimant, who loves Harriet who loves Dorimant.