Proviso scene
A proviso scene is a stage scene in which the witty couple of a Restoration comedy (usually a witty lady and a rake) agree on conditions for their marriage. These conditions usually comprise the demand that the rake give up his promiscuous and irresponsible ways and thus show a tendency towards a more equal relationship of the genders. Proviso sceneswere typically used in Restoration comedy after 1690. They were influenced by Locke’s contract theory model (contracts between equals) and reflect a shift in cultural values and society, as well as an orientation on a mainly middle class audience and females.
An especially famous example of a proviso scene is the debate between the witty couple Mirabell and Millamant in William Congreve’s ''The Way of The World'' (1700).
Sources
Pankratz, Annette. “Restoration Comedy : Theatre and Drama”. Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Bochum. 14 July 2009.