Question

Sheridan’s play “The School for Scandal” is associated with which genre?

• A. Comedy of manners
• B. Tragedy
• C. Romantic Comedy
• D. Historical Drama

Answer 1

Answer:

A. Comedy of manners

• The comedy of manners is a genre of play that satirizes the manners, behaviors, and social norms of a particular class, often focusing on themes like relationships, marriage, and societal hypocrisy.

• It typically features witty dialogue, clever repartee, and sharply drawn characters.

• Richard Brinsley Sheridan's play "The School for Scandal" (1777) is one of the most celebrated examples of this genre.

• The play critiques the superficiality, gossip, and pretensions of the upper classes in 18th-century English society, combining humor with moral commentary.

• Sheridan's work serves as a bridge between the Restoration comedy of the late 17th century and the works of later playwrights like Oscar Wilde.