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he Old Bachelor is the first play written by British playwright William Congreve, produced in 1693. The 'Old Bachelor' is Heartwell, 'a surly old pretended woman-hater', who falls in love with Silvia, not knowing her to be the forsaken mistress of Vainlove, and is lured into marrying her, only discovering her true character afterwards, from the gibes of his acquaintances. The parson who has been brought in to marry them, however, is in fact Vainlove's friend Belmour, who has assumed the disguise for the purpose of an intrigue with Laetitia, the young wife of an uxorious old banker, Fondlewife; and Heartwell is relieved to discover that the marriage was a pretence. The comedy includes the amusing characters of Sir Joseph Wittol, a foolish knight, who allows himself to be really married to Silvia, under the impression that she is the wealthy Araminta; and his companion, the cowardly bully, Captain Bluffe, who under the same delusion is married to Silvia's maid. The success of this comedy was in part due to the acting of performers Thomas Betterton and Anne Bracegirdle
Reproduction of the original: The Double-Dealer by William Congreve
With piercing accuracy William ongreve depicted the shallow, brittle world of 'society' where the right artifice in manners, fashion and conversation--and money--eased the passage to success. Through sparkling, witty dialogue and brilliant characterisation--Lady Plyant, Valentine, Lady Touchwood, Mirabell and Millamant--Congreve exposed the follies and vanities of that world, and suggested that behind the glinting mirror lay something more brutal. 'The language is everywhere that of Men of Honour, but their Actions are those of Knaves; a proof that he was perfectly well acquainted with human Nature, and frequented what we call polite company.' --Voltaire 'Congreve quitted the stage in disdain, and comedy left it with him.' --A contemporary
A giant of eighteenth century literature, William Congreve was an English playwright and poet of the Restoration period. His poetry demonstrates a learned understanding of the classics, raw satirical power and an ironic scrutiny of the affectations of his age. Congreve’s famous plays are celebrated for their witty dialogue and their seminal influence on the comedy of manners style. The Delphi Poets Series offers readers the works of literature's finest poets, with superior formatting. This volume presents Congreve’s complete works, with related illustrations and the usual Delphi bonus material. (Version 1) * Beautifully illustrated with images relating to Congreve's life and works * Concise introduction to Congreve’s life and poetry * Congreve's complete poems – available in no other collection * Special chronological and alphabetical contents tables for the poetry * Easily locate the poems you want to read * Includes Congreve's complete dramatic works – first time in digital print * Excellent formatting of the poems and plays * Features three biographies, including Samuel Johnson’s memoir - discover Congreve's intriguing life * Scholarly ordering of texts into chronological order and literary genres Please visit www.delphiclassics.com to see our wide range of poet titles CONTENTS: The Life and Poetry of William Congreve Brief Introduction: William Congreve by Algernon Charles Swinburne Complete Poetical Works of William Congreve List of Poems in Alphabetical Order The Comedies The Old Bachelor The Double Dealer Love for Love The Way of the World The Tragedy The Mourning Bride The Masque The Judgement of Paris The Opera Semele The Prose Incognita; Or, Love and Duty Reconcil'd The Biographies Congreve by Samuel Johnson Introduction to William Congreve by G. S. Street William Congreve by Leslie Stephen Please visit www.delphiclassics.com to browse through our range of poetry titles or buy the entire Delphi Poets Series as a Super Set