William Congreve - Revision history

Pankratz at 15:29, 5 January 2023

2023-01-05T15:29:48Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:29, 5 January 2023
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	In 1674 Congreve's father joined the garrison at Youghal, in Ireland and so the family moved to Carrickfergus, where Congreve, was sent to school at Kilkenny (the Eton of Ireland) in 1681. Five years later, he entered Trinity College, Dublin. In 1690 Congreve's father became estate agent to the earl of Cork and in the following year, Congreve became a law student at the Middle Temple (London) and started writing and publishing. He rose to some fame instantly and thus the great [[John Dryden]] made him his protégé. They even published a translation of the satires of Juvenal and Persius together. In early 1693 Congreve’s production ''The Old Bachelour'' at the Theatre Royal in Drury Lane earned him some respect. Congreve claimed to have composed this play to amuse himself during convalescence. In 1695 he became a manager of the new theatre in Lincoln's Inn Fields.		In 1674 Congreve's father joined the garrison at Youghal, in Ireland and so the family moved to Carrickfergus, where Congreve, was sent to school at Kilkenny (the Eton of Ireland) in 1681. Five years later, he entered Trinity College, Dublin. In 1690 Congreve's father became estate agent to the earl of Cork and in the following year, Congreve became a law student at the Middle Temple (London) and started writing and publishing. He rose to some fame instantly and thus the great [[John Dryden]] made him his protégé. They even published a translation of the satires of Juvenal and Persius together. In early 1693 Congreve’s production ''The Old Bachelour'' at the Theatre Royal in Drury Lane earned him some respect. Congreve claimed to have composed this play to amuse himself during convalescence. In 1695 he became a manager of the new theatre in Lincoln's Inn Fields.

	When Congreve's masterpiece ''[[Way of ~~the~~ World\|The Way of the World]]'' failed to be successful in 1700, he refrained from writing plays. But he did not desert the stage entirely, writing librettos for operas and collaborating on a translation of [[Molière]]'s ''Monsieur de Pourceaugnac'' in 1704.		When Congreve's masterpiece ''[[Way of The World\|The Way of the World]]'' failed to be successful in 1700, he refrained from writing plays. But he did not desert the stage entirely, writing librettos for operas and collaborating on a translation of [[Molière]]'s ''Monsieur de Pourceaugnac'' in 1704.

	Due to his substantial income, Congreve was able to pass the rest of his life quietly. When [[Voltaire]] paid him a visit and several compliments, Congreve supposedly replied that he only wanted to be known as English gentleman, not as writer (Bartlett).		Due to his substantial income, Congreve was able to pass the rest of his life quietly. When [[Voltaire]] paid him a visit and several compliments, Congreve supposedly replied that he only wanted to be known as English gentleman, not as writer (Bartlett).
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	=== Narrative Prose ===		=== Narrative Prose ===
	Rumor has it that Congreve also wrote Romances.		Rumor has it that Congreve also wrote Romances. Or Novels.

Pankratz at 15:29, 5 January 2023

2023-01-05T15:29:00Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:29, 5 January 2023
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	In 1674 Congreve's father joined the garrison at Youghal, in Ireland and so the family moved to Carrickfergus, where Congreve, was sent to school at Kilkenny (the Eton of Ireland) in 1681. Five years later, he entered Trinity College, Dublin. In 1690 Congreve's father became estate agent to the earl of Cork and in the following year, Congreve became a law student at the Middle Temple (London) and started writing and publishing. He rose to some fame instantly and thus the great [[John Dryden]] made him his protégé. They even published a translation of the satires of Juvenal and Persius together. In early 1693 Congreve’s production ''The Old Bachelour'' at the Theatre Royal in Drury Lane earned him some respect. Congreve claimed to have composed this play to amuse himself during convalescence. In 1695 he became a manager of the new theatre in Lincoln's Inn Fields.		In 1674 Congreve's father joined the garrison at Youghal, in Ireland and so the family moved to Carrickfergus, where Congreve, was sent to school at Kilkenny (the Eton of Ireland) in 1681. Five years later, he entered Trinity College, Dublin. In 1690 Congreve's father became estate agent to the earl of Cork and in the following year, Congreve became a law student at the Middle Temple (London) and started writing and publishing. He rose to some fame instantly and thus the great [[John Dryden]] made him his protégé. They even published a translation of the satires of Juvenal and Persius together. In early 1693 Congreve’s production ''The Old Bachelour'' at the Theatre Royal in Drury Lane earned him some respect. Congreve claimed to have composed this play to amuse himself during convalescence. In 1695 he became a manager of the new theatre in Lincoln's Inn Fields.

	When Congreve's masterpiece ''[[The Way of the World]]'' failed to be successful in 1700, he refrained from writing plays. But he did not desert the stage entirely, writing librettos for operas and collaborating on a translation of [[Molière]]'s ''Monsieur de Pourceaugnac'' in 1704.		When Congreve's masterpiece ''[[Way of the World\|The Way of the World]]'' failed to be successful in 1700, he refrained from writing plays. But he did not desert the stage entirely, writing librettos for operas and collaborating on a translation of [[Molière]]'s ''Monsieur de Pourceaugnac'' in 1704.

	Due to his substantial income, Congreve was able to pass the rest of his life quietly. When [[Voltaire]] paid him a visit and several compliments, Congreve supposedly replied that he only wanted to be known as English gentleman, not as writer (Bartlett).		Due to his substantial income, Congreve was able to pass the rest of his life quietly. When [[Voltaire]] paid him a visit and several compliments, Congreve supposedly replied that he only wanted to be known as English gentleman, not as writer (Bartlett).

Jasminuhlmann at 09:21, 3 January 2023

2023-01-03T09:21:29Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 09:21, 3 January 2023
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	In 1674 Congreve's father joined the garrison at Youghal, in Ireland and so the family moved to Carrickfergus, where Congreve, was sent to school at Kilkenny (the Eton of Ireland) in 1681. Five years later, he entered Trinity College, Dublin. In 1690 Congreve's father became estate agent to the earl of Cork and in the following year, Congreve became a law student at the Middle Temple (London) and started writing and publishing. He rose to some fame instantly and thus the great [[John Dryden]] made him his protégé. They even published a translation of the satires of Juvenal and Persius together. In early 1693 Congreve’s production ''The Old Bachelour'' at the Theatre Royal in Drury Lane earned him some respect. Congreve claimed to have composed this play to amuse himself during convalescence. In 1695 he became a manager of the new theatre in Lincoln's Inn Fields.		In 1674 Congreve's father joined the garrison at Youghal, in Ireland and so the family moved to Carrickfergus, where Congreve, was sent to school at Kilkenny (the Eton of Ireland) in 1681. Five years later, he entered Trinity College, Dublin. In 1690 Congreve's father became estate agent to the earl of Cork and in the following year, Congreve became a law student at the Middle Temple (London) and started writing and publishing. He rose to some fame instantly and thus the great [[John Dryden]] made him his protégé. They even published a translation of the satires of Juvenal and Persius together. In early 1693 Congreve’s production ''The Old Bachelour'' at the Theatre Royal in Drury Lane earned him some respect. Congreve claimed to have composed this play to amuse himself during convalescence. In 1695 he became a manager of the new theatre in Lincoln's Inn Fields.

	When Congreve's masterpiece ''The Way of the World'' failed to be successful in 1700, he refrained from writing plays. But he did not desert the stage entirely, writing librettos for operas and collaborating on a translation of [[Molière]]'s ''Monsieur de Pourceaugnac'' in 1704.		When Congreve's masterpiece ''[[The Way of the World]]'' failed to be successful in 1700, he refrained from writing plays. But he did not desert the stage entirely, writing librettos for operas and collaborating on a translation of [[Molière]]'s ''Monsieur de Pourceaugnac'' in 1704.

	Due to his substantial income Congreve was able to pass the rest of his life quietly. When [[Voltaire]] paid him a visit and several compliments, Congreve supposedly replied that ~~the~~ only wanted to be known as English gentleman, not as writer (Bartlett).		Due to his substantial income, Congreve was able to pass the rest of his life quietly. When [[Voltaire]] paid him a visit and several compliments, Congreve supposedly replied that he only wanted to be known as English gentleman, not as writer (Bartlett).

	== Works ==		== Works ==
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	=== Poetry ===		=== Poetry ===
	In 1695 Congreve turned to writing poetry, such as his pastoral on the death of Queen [[Mary II]] ~~and~~ ''his Pindarique Ode, Humbly Offer'd to the King on his taking Namure'' and several poems. The volume containing these odes also contained ~~his~~ ''Discourse on the Pindarique Ode'' (1706) and brought some order to a form that had become very unrestrained since the days of the poet Abraham Cowley.		In 1695 Congreve turned to writing poetry, such as his pastoral on the death of Queen [[Mary II]], ''his Pindarique Ode, Humbly Offer'd to the King on his taking Namure'' and several poems. The volume containing these odes also contained ''Discourse on the Pindarique Ode'' (1706) and brought some order to a form that had become very unrestrained since the days of the poet [[Abraham Cowley]].

	=== Narrative Prose ===		=== Narrative Prose ===

Pankratz at 16:13, 24 October 2018

2018-10-24T16:13:39Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:13, 24 October 2018
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	== Life ==		== Life ==
	In 1674 Congreve's father joined the garrison at Youghal, in Ireland and so the family moved to Carrickfergus, where Congreve, was sent to school at Kilkenny (the Eton of Ireland) in 1681. Five years later, he entered Trinity College, Dublin. In 1690 Congreve's father became estate agent to the earl of Cork and in the following year, Congreve became a law student at the Middle Temple and started writing and publishing. He rose to some fame instantly and thus the great [[John Dryden]] made him his protégé. They even published a translation of the satires of Juvenal and Persius together. In early 1693 Congreve’s production ''The Old Bachelour'' at the Theatre Royal in Drury Lane earned him some respect. Congreve claimed to have composed this play to amuse himself during convalescence. In 1695 he became a manager of the new theatre in Lincoln's Inn Fields.		In 1674 Congreve's father joined the garrison at Youghal, in Ireland and so the family moved to Carrickfergus, where Congreve, was sent to school at Kilkenny (the Eton of Ireland) in 1681. Five years later, he entered Trinity College, Dublin. In 1690 Congreve's father became estate agent to the earl of Cork and in the following year, Congreve became a law student at the Middle Temple (London) and started writing and publishing. He rose to some fame instantly and thus the great [[John Dryden]] made him his protégé. They even published a translation of the satires of Juvenal and Persius together. In early 1693 Congreve’s production ''The Old Bachelour'' at the Theatre Royal in Drury Lane earned him some respect. Congreve claimed to have composed this play to amuse himself during convalescence. In 1695 he became a manager of the new theatre in Lincoln's Inn Fields.
	When Congreve's masterpiece ''The Way of the World'' failed to be successful in 1700, he refrained from writing plays. But he did not, desert the stage entirely, writing librettos for operas and collaborating on a translation of [[Molière]]'s ''Monsieur de Pourceaugnac'' in 1704.
	Due to his substantial income Congreve was able to pass the rest of his life quietly. ~~His interest for~~ the ~~stage probably decreased because of his plays failing and due~~ to ~~the so-called Collier-attack~~, which was launched against him by Jeremy Collier, criticizing the immorality of the Restoration stage. Congreve is also notorious for his affairs with several women. He finally died after a carriage accident in 1729.		When Congreve's masterpiece ''The Way of the World'' failed to be successful in 1700, he refrained from writing plays. But he did not desert the stage entirely, writing librettos for operas and collaborating on a translation of [[Molière]]'s ''Monsieur de Pourceaugnac'' in 1704.

			Due to his substantial income Congreve was able to pass the rest of his life quietly. When [[Voltaire]] paid him a visit and several compliments, Congreve supposedly replied that the only wanted to be known as English gentleman, not as writer (Bartlett).

	== Works ==		== Works ==
	=== Drama ===		=== Drama ===
	Congreve's comedies are similar to [[George Etherege]]'s comedies of manner~~. But being born after the Restoration William Congreve belongs to the second generation of writers~~, ~~together with Richard Steele, and not like Etherege to~~ the Carolean dramatists. He is famous for his Comedy of manners, treating mainly themes such as the manners and behavior of the upper class to which it was addressed, i.e. the antipuritanical theatre audience. It dealt with imitators of French customs, conceited wits, and fantastics of all kind. Its major theme, however, was the liberal and experimental sexual life of many courtiers. Congreve's first play ''[[The Old Bachelour]]'' (1693) was an enormous success, running for the then unprecedented length of a fortnight and commended even by [[John Dryden]]. Congreve's following play, ''[[The Double-Dealer]]'', played in the same year at the Drury Lane Theatre but unfortunately it was not very successful. As opposed to this, ''[[Love for Love]]'', which was first performed in 1695, was almost as successful as his first play. It was also the first production being staged in the new theatre in Lincoln's Inn Fields, opening after several crises in the old Theatre Royal. Congreve had promised to write one play a year for the Lincoln's Inn theatre but failed to do so and thus his next play ''The Mourning Bride'' was only performed in 1697. Nowadays his tragedies are his least regarded drama, however, during the Restoration they were his most famous plays. In March 1700, Congreve's ''[[Way of The World\|The Way of the World]]'' was staged and failed to be successful. Its failure is often attributed to the complexity of the plot, which ropes around the lovers Mirabell and Millamant who have to overcome several difficulties in order to marry and secure Millamant's substantial inheritance.		Congreve's comedies are similar to [[George Etherege]]'s comedies of manner, but lack the Hobbesian nastiness. Congreve's first play ''[[The Old Bachelour]]'' (1693) was an enormous success, running for the then unprecedented length of a fortnight and commended even by [[John Dryden]]. Congreve's following play, ''[[The Double-Dealer]]'', played in the same year at the Drury Lane Theatre but unfortunately it was not very successful. As opposed to this, ''[[Love for Love]]'', which was first performed in 1695, was almost as successful as his first play. It was also the first production being staged in the new theatre in Lincoln's Inn Fields, opening after several crises in the old Theatre Royal. Congreve had promised to write one play a year for the Lincoln's Inn Fields theatre but failed to do so and thus his next play ''The Mourning Bride'' was only performed in 1697. Nowadays his tragedies are his least regarded drama, however, during the Restoration they were his most famous plays. In March 1700, Congreve's ''[[Way of The World\|The Way of the World]]'' was staged and failed to be successful. Its failure is often attributed to the complexity of the plot, which ropes around the lovers Mirabell and Millamant who have to overcome several difficulties in order to marry and secure Millamant's substantial inheritance.

	=== Poetry ===		=== Poetry ===
	In 1695 Congreve turned to writing poetry, such as his pastoral on the death of Queen [[Mary II]] and ''his Pindarique Ode, Humbly Offer'd to the King on his taking Namure'' and several poems. The volume containing these odes also contained his ''Discourse on the Pindarique Ode'' (1706) and brought some order to a form that had become very unrestrained since the days of the poet Abraham Cowley.		In 1695 Congreve turned to writing poetry, such as his pastoral on the death of Queen [[Mary II]] and ''his Pindarique Ode, Humbly Offer'd to the King on his taking Namure'' and several poems. The volume containing these odes also contained his ''Discourse on the Pindarique Ode'' (1706) and brought some order to a form that had become very unrestrained since the days of the poet Abraham Cowley.

			=== Narrative Prose ===
			Rumor has it that Congreve also wrote Romances.


	== Sources ==		== Sources ==
			*''Barlett's Book of Anecdotes''. Eds. Clifton Fadiman & André Bernard. New York: Little, Brown and Company, 2002.
	*Corman, Brian. “Comedy” in ''The Cambridge Companion to English Restoration Theatre''. Ed. D. Payne Fisk. Cambridge: CUP, 2003. <br />		*Corman, Brian. “Comedy” in ''The Cambridge Companion to English Restoration Theatre''. Ed. D. Payne Fisk. Cambridge: CUP, 2003. <br />
	*Korninger, Siegfried. ''The Restoration Period and the Eighteenth Century. 1660 – 1780.'' München: Österreichischer Bundesverlag Wien, 1964. <br />		*Korninger, Siegfried. ''The Restoration Period and the Eighteenth Century. 1660 – 1780.'' München: Österreichischer Bundesverlag Wien, 1964. <br />

Pankratz at 10:30, 23 April 2013

2013-04-23T10:30:11Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 10:30, 23 April 2013
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	== Works ==		== Works ==
	=== Drama ===		=== Drama ===
	Congreve's comedies are similar to [[George Etherege]]'s comedies of manner. But being born after the Restoration William Congreve belongs to the second generation of writers, together with Richard Steele, and not like Etherege to the Carolean dramatists. He is famous for his Comedy of manners, treating mainly themes such as the manners and behavior of the upper class to which it was addressed, i.e. the antipuritanical theatre audience. It dealt with imitators of French customs, conceited wits, and fantastics of all kind. Its major theme, however, was the liberal and experimental sexual life of many courtiers. Congreve's first play ''The Old Bachelour'' (1693) was an enormous success, running for the then unprecedented length of a fortnight and commended even by [[John Dryden]]. Congreve's following play, ''The Double-Dealer'', played in the same year at the Drury Lane Theatre but unfortunately it was not very successful. As opposed to this, ''Love for Love'', which was first performed in 1695, was almost as successful as his first play. It was also the first production being staged in the new theatre in Lincoln's Inn Fields, opening after several crises in the old Theatre Royal. Congreve had promised to write one play a year for the Lincoln's Inn theatre but failed to do so and thus his next play ''The Mourning Bride'' was only performed in 1697. Nowadays his tragedies are his least regarded drama, however, during the Restoration they were his most famous plays. In March 1700, Congreve's ''[[Way of The World\|The Way of the World]]'' was staged and failed to be successful. Its failure is often attributed to the complexity of the plot, which ropes around the lovers Mirabell and Millamant who have to overcome several difficulties in order to marry and secure Millamant's substantial inheritance.		Congreve's comedies are similar to [[George Etherege]]'s comedies of manner. But being born after the Restoration William Congreve belongs to the second generation of writers, together with Richard Steele, and not like Etherege to the Carolean dramatists. He is famous for his Comedy of manners, treating mainly themes such as the manners and behavior of the upper class to which it was addressed, i.e. the antipuritanical theatre audience. It dealt with imitators of French customs, conceited wits, and fantastics of all kind. Its major theme, however, was the liberal and experimental sexual life of many courtiers. Congreve's first play ''[[The Old Bachelour]]'' (1693) was an enormous success, running for the then unprecedented length of a fortnight and commended even by [[John Dryden]]. Congreve's following play, ''[[The Double-Dealer]]'', played in the same year at the Drury Lane Theatre but unfortunately it was not very successful. As opposed to this, ''[[Love for Love]]'', which was first performed in 1695, was almost as successful as his first play. It was also the first production being staged in the new theatre in Lincoln's Inn Fields, opening after several crises in the old Theatre Royal. Congreve had promised to write one play a year for the Lincoln's Inn theatre but failed to do so and thus his next play ''The Mourning Bride'' was only performed in 1697. Nowadays his tragedies are his least regarded drama, however, during the Restoration they were his most famous plays. In March 1700, Congreve's ''[[Way of The World\|The Way of the World]]'' was staged and failed to be successful. Its failure is often attributed to the complexity of the plot, which ropes around the lovers Mirabell and Millamant who have to overcome several difficulties in order to marry and secure Millamant's substantial inheritance.

	=== Poetry ===		=== Poetry ===

WikiSysop at 12:58, 2 December 2009

2009-12-02T12:58:06Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:58, 2 December 2009
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	== Works ==		== Works ==
	=== Drama ===		=== Drama ===
	Congreve's comedies are similar to [[George Etherege]]'s comedies of manner. But being born after the Restoration William Congreve belongs to the second generation of writers, together with Richard Steele, and not like Etherege to the Carolean dramatists. He is famous for his Comedy of manners, treating mainly themes such as the manners and behavior of the upper class to which it was addressed, i.e. the antipuritanical theatre audience. It dealt with imitators of French customs, conceited wits, and fantastics of all kind. Its major theme, however, was the liberal and experimental sexual life of many courtiers. Congreve's first play ''The Old Bachelour'' (1693) was an enormous success, running for the then unprecedented length of a fortnight and commended even by [[John Dryden]]. Congreve's following play, ''The Double-Dealer'', played in the same year at the Drury Lane Theatre but unfortunately it was not very successful. As opposed to this, ''Love for Love'', which was first performed in 1695, was almost as successful as his first play. It was also the first production being staged in the new theatre in Lincoln's Inn Fields, opening after several crises in the old Theatre Royal. Congreve had promised to write one play a year for the Lincoln's Inn theatre but failed to do so and thus his next play ''The Mourning Bride'' was only performed in 1697. Nowadays his tragedies are his least regarded drama, however, during the Restoration they were his most famous plays. In March 1700, Congreve's ''[[Way of ~~the~~ World\|The Way of the World]]'' was staged and failed to be successful. Its failure is often attributed to the complexity of the plot, which ropes around the lovers Mirabell and Millamant who have to overcome several difficulties in order to marry and secure Millamant's substantial inheritance.		Congreve's comedies are similar to [[George Etherege]]'s comedies of manner. But being born after the Restoration William Congreve belongs to the second generation of writers, together with Richard Steele, and not like Etherege to the Carolean dramatists. He is famous for his Comedy of manners, treating mainly themes such as the manners and behavior of the upper class to which it was addressed, i.e. the antipuritanical theatre audience. It dealt with imitators of French customs, conceited wits, and fantastics of all kind. Its major theme, however, was the liberal and experimental sexual life of many courtiers. Congreve's first play ''The Old Bachelour'' (1693) was an enormous success, running for the then unprecedented length of a fortnight and commended even by [[John Dryden]]. Congreve's following play, ''The Double-Dealer'', played in the same year at the Drury Lane Theatre but unfortunately it was not very successful. As opposed to this, ''Love for Love'', which was first performed in 1695, was almost as successful as his first play. It was also the first production being staged in the new theatre in Lincoln's Inn Fields, opening after several crises in the old Theatre Royal. Congreve had promised to write one play a year for the Lincoln's Inn theatre but failed to do so and thus his next play ''The Mourning Bride'' was only performed in 1697. Nowadays his tragedies are his least regarded drama, however, during the Restoration they were his most famous plays. In March 1700, Congreve's ''[[Way of The World\|The Way of the World]]'' was staged and failed to be successful. Its failure is often attributed to the complexity of the plot, which ropes around the lovers Mirabell and Millamant who have to overcome several difficulties in order to marry and secure Millamant's substantial inheritance.

	=== Poetry ===		=== Poetry ===

WikiSysop at 12:57, 2 December 2009

2009-12-02T12:57:38Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:57, 2 December 2009
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	Born 24 January 1670, Bardsey, Yorkshire, England. Died 19 January 1729, London. Restoration playwright.		Born 24 January 1670, Bardsey, Yorkshire, England. Died 19 January 1729, London. Restoration playwright.

	== ~~'''~~Life~~'''~~ ==		== Life ==
	In 1674 Congreve's father joined the garrison at Youghal, in Ireland and so the family moved to Carrickfergus, where Congreve, was sent to school at Kilkenny (the Eton of Ireland) in 1681. Five years later, he entered Trinity College, Dublin. In 1690 Congreve's father became estate agent to the earl of Cork and in the following year, Congreve became a law student at the Middle Temple and started writing and publishing. He rose to some fame instantly and thus the great [[John Dryden]] made him his protégé. They even published a translation of the satires of Juvenal and Persius together. In early 1693 Congreve’s production ''The Old Bachelour'' at the Theatre Royal in Drury Lane earned him some respect. Congreve claimed to have composed this play to amuse himself during convalescence. In 1695 he became a manager of the new theatre in Lincoln's Inn Fields.		In 1674 Congreve's father joined the garrison at Youghal, in Ireland and so the family moved to Carrickfergus, where Congreve, was sent to school at Kilkenny (the Eton of Ireland) in 1681. Five years later, he entered Trinity College, Dublin. In 1690 Congreve's father became estate agent to the earl of Cork and in the following year, Congreve became a law student at the Middle Temple and started writing and publishing. He rose to some fame instantly and thus the great [[John Dryden]] made him his protégé. They even published a translation of the satires of Juvenal and Persius together. In early 1693 Congreve’s production ''The Old Bachelour'' at the Theatre Royal in Drury Lane earned him some respect. Congreve claimed to have composed this play to amuse himself during convalescence. In 1695 he became a manager of the new theatre in Lincoln's Inn Fields.
	When Congreve's masterpiece ''The Way of the World'' failed to be successful in 1700, he refrained from writing plays. But he did not, desert the stage entirely, writing librettos for operas and collaborating on a translation of [[Molière]]'s ''Monsieur de Pourceaugnac'' in 1704.		When Congreve's masterpiece ''The Way of the World'' failed to be successful in 1700, he refrained from writing plays. But he did not, desert the stage entirely, writing librettos for operas and collaborating on a translation of [[Molière]]'s ''Monsieur de Pourceaugnac'' in 1704.
	Due to his substantial income Congreve was able to pass the rest of his life quietly. His interest for the stage probably decreased because of his plays failing and due to the so-called Collier-attack, which was launched against him by Jeremy Collier, criticizing the immorality of the Restoration stage. Congreve is also notorious for his affairs with several women. He finally died after a carriage accident in 1729.		Due to his substantial income Congreve was able to pass the rest of his life quietly. His interest for the stage probably decreased because of his plays failing and due to the so-called Collier-attack, which was launched against him by Jeremy Collier, criticizing the immorality of the Restoration stage. Congreve is also notorious for his affairs with several women. He finally died after a carriage accident in 1729.

	== ~~'''~~Works~~'''~~ ==		== Works ==
	=== ~~'''~~Drama~~'''~~ ===		=== Drama ===
	Congreve's comedies are similar to [[George Etherege]]'s comedies of manner. But being born after the Restoration William Congreve belongs to the second generation of writers, together with Richard Steele, and not like Etherege to the Carolean dramatists. He is famous for his Comedy of manners, treating mainly themes such as the manners and behavior of the upper class to which it was addressed, i.e. the antipuritanical theatre audience. It dealt with imitators of French customs, conceited wits, and fantastics of all kind. Its major theme, however, was the liberal and experimental sexual life of many courtiers. Congreve's first play ''The Old Bachelour'' (1693) was an enormous success, running for the then unprecedented length of a fortnight and commended even by [[John Dryden]]. Congreve's following play, ''The Double-Dealer'', played in the same year at the Drury Lane Theatre but unfortunately it was not very successful. As opposed to this, ''Love for Love'', which was first performed in 1695, was almost as successful as his first play. It was also the first production being staged in the new theatre in Lincoln's Inn Fields, opening after several crises in the old Theatre Royal. Congreve had promised to write one play a year for the Lincoln's Inn theatre but failed to do so and thus his next play ''The Mourning Bride'' was only performed in 1697. Nowadays his tragedies are his least regarded drama, however, during the Restoration they were his most famous plays. In March 1700, Congreve's ''The Way of the World'' was staged and failed to be successful. Its failure is often attributed to the complexity of the plot, which ropes around the lovers Mirabell and Millamant who have to overcome several difficulties in order to marry and secure Millamant's substantial inheritance.		Congreve's comedies are similar to [[George Etherege]]'s comedies of manner. But being born after the Restoration William Congreve belongs to the second generation of writers, together with Richard Steele, and not like Etherege to the Carolean dramatists. He is famous for his Comedy of manners, treating mainly themes such as the manners and behavior of the upper class to which it was addressed, i.e. the antipuritanical theatre audience. It dealt with imitators of French customs, conceited wits, and fantastics of all kind. Its major theme, however, was the liberal and experimental sexual life of many courtiers. Congreve's first play ''The Old Bachelour'' (1693) was an enormous success, running for the then unprecedented length of a fortnight and commended even by [[John Dryden]]. Congreve's following play, ''The Double-Dealer'', played in the same year at the Drury Lane Theatre but unfortunately it was not very successful. As opposed to this, ''Love for Love'', which was first performed in 1695, was almost as successful as his first play. It was also the first production being staged in the new theatre in Lincoln's Inn Fields, opening after several crises in the old Theatre Royal. Congreve had promised to write one play a year for the Lincoln's Inn theatre but failed to do so and thus his next play ''The Mourning Bride'' was only performed in 1697. Nowadays his tragedies are his least regarded drama, however, during the Restoration they were his most famous plays. In March 1700, Congreve's ''[[Way of the World\|The Way of the World]]'' was staged and failed to be successful. Its failure is often attributed to the complexity of the plot, which ropes around the lovers Mirabell and Millamant who have to overcome several difficulties in order to marry and secure Millamant's substantial inheritance.

	=== ~~'''~~Poetry~~'''~~ ===		=== Poetry ===
	In 1695 Congreve turned to writing poetry, such as his pastoral on the death of Queen [[Mary II]] and ''his Pindarique Ode, Humbly Offer'd to the King on his taking Namure'' and several poems. The volume containing these odes also contained his ''Discourse on the Pindarique Ode'' (1706) and brought some order to a form that had become very unrestrained since the days of the poet Abraham Cowley.		In 1695 Congreve turned to writing poetry, such as his pastoral on the death of Queen [[Mary II]] and ''his Pindarique Ode, Humbly Offer'd to the King on his taking Namure'' and several poems. The volume containing these odes also contained his ''Discourse on the Pindarique Ode'' (1706) and brought some order to a form that had become very unrestrained since the days of the poet Abraham Cowley.

	== ~~'''~~Sources~~'''~~ ==		== Sources ==
	Corman, Brian. “Comedy” in ''The Cambridge Companion to English Restoration Theatre''. Ed. D. Payne Fisk. Cambridge: CUP, 2003. <br />		*Corman, Brian. “Comedy” in ''The Cambridge Companion to English Restoration Theatre''. Ed. D. Payne Fisk. Cambridge: CUP, 2003. <br />
	Korninger, Siegfried. ''The Restoration Period and the Eighteenth Century. 1660 – 1780.'' München: Österreichischer Bundesverlag Wien, 1964. <br />		*Korninger, Siegfried. ''The Restoration Period and the Eighteenth Century. 1660 – 1780.'' München: Österreichischer Bundesverlag Wien, 1964. <br />
	"Congreve, William." ''Encyclopædia Britannica''. 2009. Encyclopædia Britannica Online. 22 May 2009 <http://www.search.eb.com/eb/article-1477>.		*"Congreve, William." ''Encyclopædia Britannica''. 2009. Encyclopædia Britannica Online. 22 May 2009 <http://www.search.eb.com/eb/article-1477>.

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WikiSysop at 19:41, 11 July 2009

2009-07-11T19:41:35Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:41, 11 July 2009
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	== '''Works''' ==		== '''Works''' ==
	=== '''Drama''' ===		=== '''Drama''' ===
	Congreve's comedies are similar to ~~George~~ [[Etherege]]'s comedies of manner. But being born after the Restoration William Congreve belongs to the second generation of writers, together with Richard Steele, and not like Etherege to the Carolean dramatists. He is famous for his Comedy of manners, treating mainly themes such as the manners and behavior of the upper class to which it was addressed, i.e. the antipuritanical theatre audience. It dealt with imitators of French customs, conceited wits, and fantastics of all kind. Its major theme, however, was the liberal and experimental sexual life of many courtiers. Congreve's first play ''The Old Bachelour'' (1693) was an enormous success, running for the then unprecedented length of a fortnight and commended even by [[John Dryden]]. Congreve's following play, ''The Double-Dealer'', played in the same year at the Drury Lane Theatre but unfortunately it was not very successful. As opposed to this, ''Love for Love'', which was first performed in 1695, was almost as successful as his first play. It was also the first production being staged in the new theatre in Lincoln's Inn Fields, opening after several crises in the old Theatre Royal. Congreve had promised to write one play a year for the Lincoln's Inn theatre but failed to do so and thus his next play ''The Mourning Bride'' was only performed in 1697. Nowadays his tragedies are his least regarded drama, however, during the Restoration they were his most famous plays. In March 1700, Congreve's ''The Way of the World'' was staged and failed to be successful. Its failure is often attributed to the complexity of the plot, which ropes around the lovers Mirabell and Millamant who have to overcome several difficulties in order to marry and secure Millamant's substantial inheritance.		Congreve's comedies are similar to [[George Etherege]]'s comedies of manner. But being born after the Restoration William Congreve belongs to the second generation of writers, together with Richard Steele, and not like Etherege to the Carolean dramatists. He is famous for his Comedy of manners, treating mainly themes such as the manners and behavior of the upper class to which it was addressed, i.e. the antipuritanical theatre audience. It dealt with imitators of French customs, conceited wits, and fantastics of all kind. Its major theme, however, was the liberal and experimental sexual life of many courtiers. Congreve's first play ''The Old Bachelour'' (1693) was an enormous success, running for the then unprecedented length of a fortnight and commended even by [[John Dryden]]. Congreve's following play, ''The Double-Dealer'', played in the same year at the Drury Lane Theatre but unfortunately it was not very successful. As opposed to this, ''Love for Love'', which was first performed in 1695, was almost as successful as his first play. It was also the first production being staged in the new theatre in Lincoln's Inn Fields, opening after several crises in the old Theatre Royal. Congreve had promised to write one play a year for the Lincoln's Inn theatre but failed to do so and thus his next play ''The Mourning Bride'' was only performed in 1697. Nowadays his tragedies are his least regarded drama, however, during the Restoration they were his most famous plays. In March 1700, Congreve's ''The Way of the World'' was staged and failed to be successful. Its failure is often attributed to the complexity of the plot, which ropes around the lovers Mirabell and Millamant who have to overcome several difficulties in order to marry and secure Millamant's substantial inheritance.

	=== '''Poetry''' ===		=== '''Poetry''' ===

Stefanie Brenzel: /* Poetry */

2009-07-11T13:34:43Z

Poetry

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:34, 11 July 2009
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	=== '''Poetry''' ===		=== '''Poetry''' ===
	In 1695 Congreve ~~began~~ to ~~write his more public occasional verse~~, such as his pastoral on the death of Queen [[Mary II]] and ~~his~~ ''Pindarique Ode, Humbly Offer'd to the King on his taking Namure''~~. He also wrote a considerable number of~~ poems~~, some of the light social variety, some scholarly translations from Homer, Juvenal, Ovid, and Horace, and some Pindaric odes~~. The volume containing these odes also ~~comprised~~ his ''Discourse on the Pindarique Ode'' (1706)~~, which~~ brought some order to a form that had become ~~wildly~~ unrestrained since the days of the poet Abraham Cowley.		In 1695 Congreve turned to writing poetry, such as his pastoral on the death of Queen [[Mary II]] and ''his Pindarique Ode, Humbly Offer'd to the King on his taking Namure'' and several poems. The volume containing these odes also contained his ''Discourse on the Pindarique Ode'' (1706) and brought some order to a form that had become very unrestrained since the days of the poet Abraham Cowley.

	== '''Sources''' ==		== '''Sources''' ==

Stefanie Brenzel: /* Drama */

2009-07-11T13:33:01Z

Drama

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:33, 11 July 2009
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	== '''Works''' ==		== '''Works''' ==
	=== '''Drama''' ===		=== '''Drama''' ===
	~~Being~~ born after the [[Restoration~~]] proper,~~ William Congreve belongs to the second generation of writers, together with Richard Steele, ~~George Farquhar~~ and ~~John Vanbrugh~~. ~~Congreve's comedies are similar in their polished brilliance to [[George Etherege]]'s comedies~~ of ~~manner.~~		Congreve's comedies are similar to George [[Etherege]]'s comedies of manner. But being born after the Restoration William Congreve belongs to the second generation of writers, together with Richard Steele, and not like Etherege to the Carolean dramatists. He is famous for his Comedy of manners, treating mainly themes such as the manners and behavior of the upper class to which it was addressed, i.e. the antipuritanical theatre audience. It dealt with imitators of French customs, conceited wits, and fantastics of all kind. Its major theme, however, was the liberal and experimental sexual life of many courtiers. Congreve's first play ''The Old Bachelour'' (1693) was an enormous success, running for the then unprecedented length of a fortnight and commended even by [[John Dryden]]. Congreve's following play, ''The Double-Dealer'', played in the same year at the Drury Lane Theatre but unfortunately it was not very successful. As opposed to this, ''Love for Love'', which was first performed in 1695, was almost as successful as his first play. It was also the first production being staged in the new theatre in Lincoln's Inn Fields, opening after several crises in the old Theatre Royal. Congreve had promised to write one play a year for the Lincoln's Inn theatre but failed to do so and thus his next play ''The Mourning Bride'' was only performed in 1697. Nowadays his tragedies are his least regarded drama, however, during the Restoration they were his most famous plays. In March 1700, Congreve's ''The Way of the World'' was staged and failed to be successful. Its failure is often attributed to the complexity of the plot, which ropes around the lovers Mirabell and Millamant who have to overcome several difficulties in order to marry and secure Millamant's substantial inheritance.

	~~His main~~ themes ~~are~~ the manners and ~~behaviour~~ of the upper ~~and middle classes~~, the ~~tensions between love~~ and ~~money~~, ~~obedience to one's parents~~ and ~~the wish to live one's own~~ life~~; the need to lie in society and the wish to be honest~~.

	Congreve's first play ''The Old Bachelour''(1693) was an enormous success, running for the then unprecedented length of a fortnight and commended even by ~~the great writer~~ John Dryden. Congreve's ~~next~~ play, ''The Double-Dealer'', played in ~~November or December of~~ the same year at Drury Lane ~~did~~ not ~~meet with the same applause. People criticised that the villain was too villainous and that his monologues were too artificial~~. ''Love for Love'', which was first performed in 1695, almost ~~repeated the success of~~ his first play. It was the first production staged ~~for~~ the new ~~company~~ in Lincoln's Inn Fields, ~~which was opened~~ after ~~protracted~~ crises ~~of the United Company at~~ the Theatre Royal.

	Congreve ~~failed~~ to ~~carry out his promise of writing~~ one play a year for the Lincoln's Inn ~~Fields company,~~ so ~~the theatre staged~~ his next play ''The Mourning Bride'' in 1697. ~~Although it is now~~ his least regarded drama, ~~this tragedy increased his reputation enormously and became~~ his most ~~popular play~~. ~~No further dramatic work appeared until~~ March 1700, ~~when~~ Congreve's ~~masterpiece,~~ ''The Way of the World'', was ~~produced~~ and ~~at first met with criticism~~. ~~This~~ is often attributed to the complexity of the plot~~. ''The Way of the World''~~ ropes around the lovers Mirabell and Millamant who have to overcome several difficulties in order to marry and secure Millamant's substantial inheritance. It is not only difficult to follow the plot, but it is also difficult to find out who is a villain, a fool or a hero. Fainall, the bad guy, at first resembles hero Mirabel. The three fools Witwoud, Petulant and Sir Wilfull Witwoud sparkle with puns and bonmots. After a while, however, the audience started to like ''The Way of the World'' and it became a comedy classic.

	=== '''Poetry''' ===		=== '''Poetry''' ===