Sentimental Comedy in English Literature with Examples

 Sentimental Comedy in English Literature

 Sentimental Comedy in English Literature with Examples, Sentimental comedy emerged as a significant genre in English literature during the late 17th and early 18th centuries. It was characterized by its emphasis on emotions, domestic situations, and moral lessons, contrasting sharply with the bawdy and often cynical humor of Restoration comedy.

 

1. Origins of Sentimental Comedy (Late 17th century)

The roots of sentimental comedy can be traced back to the late 17th century when English drama was undergoing a significant transformation. The bawdy and often cynical humor of Restoration comedy was losing its appeal, and playwrights began to explore new themes and styles. One of the earliest examples of sentimental comedy is Colley Cibber's Love's Last Shift (1696). Cibber, a prominent playwright of the time, introduced a more sentimental tone to his comedy, focusing on the theme of reformation and the triumph of true love over licentiousness. Cibber was in his late twenties when he wrote Love's Last Shift, and his youth is reflected in the play's energetic and somewhat naive portrayal of love and morality.

The roots of sentimental comedy can be traced back to the late 17th century when English drama was undergoing a significant transformation. The bawdy and often cynical humor of Restoration comedy was losing its appeal, and playwrights began to explore new themes and styles. This period marked a significant shift in English society, with the restoration of the monarchy in 1660 bringing about a newfound sense of stability and order after years of political upheaval. As a result, there was a growing desire among audiences for entertainment that reflected the changing social and cultural landscape of the time.

Background of the Late 17th Century

The late 17th century was a time of great social and cultural change in England. The restoration of the monarchy in 1660 brought an end to the turbulent period of the English Civil War and the rule of Oliver Cromwell. With the return of King Charles II to the throne, there was a newfound sense of stability and order in English society. The Restoration period saw a revival of the arts, literature, and theater, as well as a renewed interest in classical learning and culture.  Sentimental Comedy in English Literature with Examples

Describe The World Of Drama In The Sixteenth Century.

The theater, in particular, flourished during this time, with the reopening of the theaters in London after years of closure during the Puritan rule. Playwrights began to experiment with new forms and styles, moving away from the bawdy and often cynical humor of Restoration comedy towards a more sentimental and moralistic approach. This shift was partly a response to changing social attitudes towards morality and propriety, as well as a desire to appeal to a broader and more diverse audience.

The Emergence of Sentimental Comedy

One of the earliest examples of sentimental comedy is Colley Cibber's Love's Last Shift (1696). Cibber, a prominent playwright of the time, introduced a more sentimental tone to his comedy, focusing on the theme of reformation and the triumph of true love over licentiousness. Love's Last Shift tells the story of Sir John Bevil, a libertine who reforms his ways after falling in love with his wife's virtuous niece, Amanda. The play explores themes of love, redemption, and the power of moral virtue, and it was a huge success with audiences of the time.

Cibber was in his late twenties when he wrote Love's Last Shift, and his youth is reflected in the play's energetic and somewhat naive portrayal of love and morality. The character of Sir John Bevil undergoes a dramatic transformation over the course of the play, evolving from a rakish libertine into a reformed and virtuous husband. This theme of reformation was a common feature of sentimental comedy, reflecting the growing emphasis on moral virtue and propriety in English society.

The Influence of Society and Culture

The emergence of sentimental comedy can be seen as a response to the changing social and cultural landscape of the late 17th century. The restoration of the monarchy brought about a newfound sense of stability and order in English society, leading to a growing desire for entertainment that reflected the values and ideals of the time. Sentimental comedy appealed to a broad audience, offering a more moralistic and uplifting alternative to the bawdy and often cynical humor of Restoration comedy.

In addition to reflecting the changing social attitudes of the time, sentimental comedy was also influenced by the broader cultural trends of the late 17th century. The period saw a revival of interest in classical learning and culture, as well as a growing fascination with the moral teachings of ancient philosophers such as Seneca and Epictetus. Sentimental comedy drew on these classical influences, seeking to educate and edify its audience through moralistic themes and virtuous characters.  Sentimental Comedy in English Literature with Examples

 

2. The Rise of Sentimental Comedy in the 18th Century (Early to Mid-18th century)

The 18th century saw the rise of sentimental comedy as a dominant genre in English literature. Playwrights such as Richard Steele, Colley Cibber, and Hugh Kelly contributed significantly to the development of sentimental comedy during this period.

Richard Steele's The Conscious Lovers (1722) is often regarded as one of the finest examples of sentimental comedy. Steele, who was in his late thirties when he wrote the play, imbued it with a strong moral tone, focusing on the virtues of honesty, fidelity, and true love. The play was a huge success and helped to popularize sentimental comedy as a genre.

3. Key Characteristics of Sentimental Comedy

Sentimental comedy is characterized by its emphasis on emotions, domestic situations, and moral lessons. Unlike the bawdy and often cynical humor of Restoration comedy, sentimental comedy seeks to evoke sympathy and compassion in its audience. Themes such as love, friendship, and virtue are central to sentimental comedy, and the characters are often ordinary people facing everyday challenges. The plots of sentimental comedies typically revolve around the triumph of love and virtue over vice and selfishness, and they usually end happily with the reformation of the erring characters.  Sentimental Comedy in English Literature with Examples

4. Major Playwrights and Works of Sentimental Comedy

Several playwrights made significant contributions to the development of sentimental comedy in English literature. In addition to Colley Cibber and Richard Steele, other notable playwrights include Hugh Kelly, Oliver Goldsmith, and Richard Brinsley Sheridan.

Hugh Kelly's False Delicacy (1768) is another important work in the genre. Kelly, who was in his late forties when he wrote the play, criticized the affectations and artificialities of polite society, advocating instead for sincerity and honesty in human relationships. False Delicacy was a commercial success and helped to consolidate sentimental comedy as a popular genre in English literature.

Oliver Goldsmith's She Stoops to Conquer (1773) is one of the most famous examples of sentimental comedy. Goldsmith, who was in his mid-forties when he wrote the play, combined elements of sentimental comedy with farce to create a highly entertaining and enduring work. She Stoops to Conquer tells the story of a young woman who pretends to be of lower social status in order to win the love of a young man. The play explores themes of class, gender, and social convention, and it remains one of the most popular and frequently performed comedies in the English language.

5. Legacy of Sentimental Comedy

Sentimental comedy had a profound influence on English literature and drama, paving the way for the development of the modern romantic comedy. Although the genre fell out of favor in the 19th century, its influence can still be seen in the works of later playwrights such as Oscar Wilde and George Bernard Shaw. Sentimental comedy also played a significant role in shaping popular attitudes towards love, marriage, and morality, and its themes and conventions continue to resonate with audiences today.  Sentimental Comedy in English Literature with Examples

Sentimental comedy had a profound influence on English literature and drama, paving the way for the development of the modern romantic comedy. Although the genre fell out of favor in the 19th century, its influence can still be seen in the works of later playwrights such as Oscar Wilde and George Bernard Shaw. Sentimental comedy also played a significant role in shaping popular attitudes towards love, marriage, and morality, and its themes and conventions continue to resonate with audiences today.

Influence on Later Works

The influence of sentimental comedy can be seen in the works of later playwrights and novelists. Oscar Wilde, for example, drew on the conventions of sentimental comedy in his play The Importance of Being Earnest (1895). Like the works of earlier sentimental playwrights, The Importance of Being Earnest explores themes of love, marriage, and social convention, albeit with a more satirical edge. Similarly, George Bernard Shaw's play Pygmalion (1913) can be seen as a modern reinterpretation of the sentimental comedy genre. Shaw, like his predecessors, uses humor and wit to explore serious themes such as class, gender, and identity, creating a work that is both entertaining and thought-provoking.

Despite changing literary tastes and styles, the themes and conventions of sentimental comedy continue to resonate with audiences today. Modern romantic comedies, for example, often draw on the same themes of love, friendship, and virtue that were central to the sentimental comedies of the 18th century. The enduring popularity of works such as Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen and Sense and Sensibility by E.M. Forster is a testament to the lasting appeal of sentimental comedy. Like their 18th-century predecessors, Austen and Forster use humor and wit to explore serious themes such as love, marriage, and social convention, creating works that are both entertaining and thought-provoking.

 

Conclusion

 Sentimental Comedy in English Literature with Examples In conclusion, sentimental comedy emerged as a significant genre in English literature during the late 17th and early 18th centuries. Characterized by its emphasis on emotions, domestic situations, and moral lessons, sentimental comedy provided a stark contrast to the bawdy and often cynical humor of Restoration comedy. Playwrights such as Colley Cibber, Richard Steele, and Oliver Goldsmith made significant contributions to the development of the genre, producing works that continue to be studied and performed today. Sentimental comedy had a profound influence on English literature and drama, paving the way for the development of the modern romantic comedy and shaping popular attitudes towards love, marriage, and morality.

 

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