Four Comedies

Rivendell Books Verified independent store

→

Sir John Vanbrugh, one of the most dazzling playwrights of the Restoration stage, brought to English comedy a sharp wit, fearless satire, and an irreverent eye for the pretensions of high society. This volume gathers four of his most celebrated works: The Relapse, The Provok’d Wife, The Confederacy, and A Journey to London. Together, they reveal Vanbrugh’s gift for exposing hypocrisy and desire in the worlds of marriage, manners, and intrigue. From the sparkling repartee of lovers and rivals to the biting portraits of social climbers and libertines, these comedies are both wickedly funny and astutely observed. Rich in scandal, irony, and theatrical brilliance, Vanbrugh’s plays stand as enduring masterpieces of Restoration drama—works that continue to delight, provoke, and entertain audiences today. Show more