Genre
Play; Satire
Language
English
Setting and Context
18th-century England
Narrator and Point of View
N/A.
Tone and Mood
Ironic; witty
Protagonist and Antagonist
N/A: the central conflicts are driven more by gossip and rumor than by any particular characters.
Major Conflict
Lady Sneerwell is attempting to push Charles and Maria apart by spreading a rumor because she loves Charles. Joseph also loves Maria, but Maria loves Charles, who is Joseph's brother. Sir Peter and Lady Teazle are having marital issues because of her spending habits and their constant arguing. Joseph has accidentally started an affair with Lady Teazle in his hopes that she would support his pursuit of Maria. Sir Oliver is returning from abroad and hears that his nephews, Charles and Joseph, have both been getting into trouble.
Climax
Sir Oliver reveals himself to Charles and Joseph; he praises Charles and scorns Joseph. Lady Sneerwell's plot to spread a rumor about Charles and Lady Teazle is revealed when Snake makes a public confession.
Foreshadowing
Many secret plots are discussed before they are carried out, creating foreshadowing and dramatic irony.
Understatement
N/A.
Allusions
The play features allusions to Shakespeare, Greek gods, Don Quixote, Petrarch, and Waller.
Imagery
Descriptions of others of those who are not onstage during scenes of gossip include especially vivid language capturing their age and physical appearance.
Paradox
N/A.
Parallelism
N/A.
Personification
N/A.
Use of Dramatic Devices
Dramatic irony manifests through characters and eavesdropping on conversations, and through Sir Oliver's plot to see his nephews in disguise.
