Verbal wit / Elements of wit in ” The way of the world “
The way of the world, broadly speaking, is a masterpiece of William Congreve. The exhibition of wit in this comedy is a special attraction for its readers. In other words it can be affirmed that wit is the real strength of this comedy.
Witty Elements in the conversation of Characters.
- Mirabell and Mrs Fainall
The conversation between Mirabell and Mrs Fainall is the main topic of this comedy. Mrs Fainall is the wife of Mr Fainall. Before her marriage she has an illicit relation with him.when they come on the stage we came across a magnificent display of wit.For example,
Mrs Fainall: While I only hated my husband him, he is too offensive.
Mirabell: O you should hate with prudence.
In the above mentioned conversation we notice that Mrs Fainall is not satisfied with her husband and so she expresses her irritation to Mirabell. Mirabell tells her that she should hate her husband but carefully.
Further we find numerous wit in their conversation when they talked about Lady Wishfort.
Mirabell: Yes I think the good lady would marry anything that resembled a man though it were no more than what a better could pinch out of a napkin.
Mrs Fainall: Female's frailty we must all come to it .If we live to be old and feel the craving of a false appetite when the true is decayed.
ii)
Congreve is unparalleled in his witty dialogues. Particularly in the conversation between Mirabell and Millamant which is known as proviso scene ,we can witness a brilliant display of wit on the both part of these character.we can cite some examples from this.
Millamant : At, as wife spouse, my dear, joy, jewel, love, sweetheart and the rest of that nauscout can’t in which men and their wives are so fulsomely familiar, I shall never bear that Good Mirabell, don’t let us be familiar or fond……
Mirabell: have you anymore conditions to offer..? Millamant : To wear ,what I please and choose conversation with regard only to my own you shall always knock at the door before you come in..
After Reading these dialogues one can easily judge the brilliance of Congreve’s power of wit .
Iii)
Millamant and Mrs Marwood : Congreve portrays the witty character of Mrs Marwood and Millamant by the following conversation.
Millamant: I could content to wear them,if they would wear alike but fools never wear out _They are such drap de Berry things : Without one could give them to one's chamber maid after a day or two.
Mrs Marwood: ..If you would but appear barefaced now and own Mirabell you might as easily put off Petulant and witwould as your hood and scarf .
Congreve then portrays Lady Wishfort. Although she is not a witty kind of person he drwas her much humorously.
Lady Wishfort: No Don’t kil him ( Mirabell)) at once ,Sir Rowland ,sterve him gradually inch by inch.
In above conversation Waitwell as Sir Rowland s says If Mirabell comes forward in the form of a Rival in love he would kill him .But Lady Wishfort forbids him from doing so and suggests a better punishment for him.. Wit is a dominant factor in the plot of “ The way of the world” when Lady Wishfort says that Waitwell should wait for one or two days before getting married he very wittily says :..” The delay will break my heart or if that should fail ,I shalll be poisoned….. He is well aware of the fact that Mirabell is his master but he also knows that Lady Wishfort is not on good terms with him because of his treachery .So he wittily flatters her in order to win her favour.
Congreve ‘ s character is full of witty dialogues. Even his minor characters are capable of speaking in a witty manner .We find that peg who is merely a servant to Lady Wishfort uses speaking wit in her dialogue.
“ The way of the world “ is often critised for slow movements. But one must admit that Congreve has mastered the art of wit in the play He is extremely in his purpose because a close study of the play fascinates its readers..It does not create any sort of monotony and right from beginning to its end ,this play maintains the interest of the readers .The whole play is packed with witty remarks.In other words It can easily be said that the actual beauty and charm of this comedy lies in the beautiful and sparking display of witty dialogues.
After this through analysis it can easily be affirmed that Congreve s real strength lies in his witty presentation of dialogues and wit is the backbone of Congreve ‘ s The way of the World.
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Prepared by Chandi Halder ( MA in English) 7699243332
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