Richard Steele / Edited, with an Introduction and Notes by G. A. Aitken

Name: Richard Steele / Edited, with an Introduction and Notes by G. A. Aitken
Author: Sir Richard Steele

By Sir Richard Steele

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British Literature Humour Plays/Films/Dramas

About This Book

The volume collects four complete comedies, two unfinished dramatic fragments, and an editorial introduction with explanatory notes. The pieces blend satirical portraits of fashionable society with moral concern, using witty dialogue and situational comedy to explore marriage, honor, and pretence. Recurring comic types—gallants, guardians, schemers, and ingenuous lovers—propel plots of misunderstanding and reform, including a notable scene in which a gentleman declines a quarrel to preserve his reputation. The fragments and appendix further illuminate contemporary theatrical practice and a shift toward a more sentimental, reforming tone in stage comedy.

About the Author

Sir Richard Steele

Sir Richard Steele was an influential English writer and playwright of the early 18th century, best known for his role in establishing the periodical essay as a literary form. He co-founded the famous magazine "The Tatler," which provided commentary on contemporary society and culture, and later continued this work with "The Spectator," alongside Joseph Addison. Steele's writing often blended humor with social critique, making his work both entertaining and thought-provoking. One of his notable works is "Isaac Bickerstaff, Physician and Astrologer," which showcases his wit and insight into human nature.