The Way of the World is a 1700 comedic play by William Gongreve about two lovers trying to get married and receive inheritance. Mirabell wants to marry Millamant but must receive the consent of Millamant's aunt, Lady Wishfort, if he is to also receive the substantial dowry. Mirabell's previous lovers come into play and eventually Lady Wishfort is blackmailed into accepting Mirrabell's terms. The play lacks any clearly heroic or morally-upstanding characters and instead presents a world of folly and trickery.
The play is centred on the two lovers Mirabell and Millamant (originally played by John Verbruggen and Anne Bracegirdle). In order for them to marry and receive Millamant's full dowry, Mirabell must receive the blessing of Millamant's aunt, Lady Wishfort. Unfortunately, Lady Wishfort is a very bitter lady who despises Mirabell and wants her own nephew, Sir Wilfull, to wed Millamant.
Another character, Fainall, is having a secret affair with Mrs. Marwood, a friend of Mrs. Fainall's, who in turn once had an affair with Mirabell.
In the meantime, Mirabell's servant is married to Foible, Lady Wishfort's servant. Waitwell pretends to be Sir Rowland and, on Mirabell's command, tries to trick Lady Wishfort into a false engagement.
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