Comedy of manners is the criticism and satire of aristocratic faces of the restoration period.

"The Way of the World" is one of the renowned comedy of manners written by William
Congreve, where most of the characters indeed show various degrees of self-interest and lack of
morality. But following the claim that "almost all" major characters fit this description might be
an oversimplification. One needs to analyse the characters' motivations and actions to justify the
validity of this statement.

Among the numerous, Mirabell, Mrs. Millamant, Mr. Fainall, Mrs Fainall, Lady Wishfort and
Mrs. Marwood can be considered as the major characters of this play.

Firstly, the protagonist or the hero of this play, Mirabell, is a complex character whose actions
can be interpreted as driven by self-interest. He manipulates and deceives others to achieve his
goals, particularly to achieve Millamant with all her fortune. He can marry Millamant anytime as
she also loves him. But his interest is not in Millamant omitting her fortune where Millamant’s
fortune is imprisoned into her aunt’s acceptance. For what Mirabell tries to deceive her Aunt
Lady Wishfort with his web of flattery. He tries to trap her by flattering but fails for Marwood.
Next, he sets his servant Waitwell with the fake identity of his uncle, Sir Roland to her to trap
again by her reputation by which he wants to rob his desire. Again an affair is seen between
Mirabell and Mrs. Fainall who conceives a child of him. For what he sets Fainall as her husband
to transfer the parental identity from him to Fainall. His actions are motivated by personal gain
and destruction of morality as well.

Secondly, the character of Mr. Fainall is considered the villain of this play who is also driven by
self-interest, deceitfulness and manipulation to achieve his own goals. He marries widow
Arabella only to suck her fortune and maintains an extramarital affair with Mrs Marwood.

On the other hand, Lady Wishfort exemplifies the height of self-interest and moral ambiguity.
She is willing to sacrifice her daughter's happiness and well-being for her own social
advancement and personal desires. Lady Wishfort's actions are driven purely by her own
interests, regardless of the consequences for others.
Similarly, characters like Witwoud and Petulant contribute to the atmosphere of cynicism and
self-interest in the play. They engage in gossip, sarcasm, and frivolous behavior, prioritizing their
own amusement over any sense of morality or concern for others.

However, it would be inaccurate to characterize all major characters in the play as devoid of
morality. For instance, Millamant, while certainly savvy and self-aware, also displays a sense of
integrity and honesty. She refuses to marry without maintaining her independence and agency,
even if it means risking her relationship with Mirabell. Millamant's refusal to compromise her
principles suggests a moral backbone that distinguishes her from other characters in the play.

Furthermore, Fainall and Mrs. Marwood are driven primarily by self-interest, engaging in deceit
and manipulation to achieve their goals. Their actions contribute to the overall sense of moral
ambiguity and cynicism in the play. However, even they are not entirely without redeeming
qualities or moments of vulnerability.

In summary, while many of the major characters in "The Way of the World" exhibit traits of
cynicism and self-interest, it would be an oversimplification to claim that "almost all" characters
fit this description. There are nuances and complexities to each character's motivations and
actions, and some demonstrate a degree of morality or integrity amidst the prevailing atmosphere
of deceit and manipulation.

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**Assignment: Analyzing Character Motivations in "The Way of the World"**

**Introduction:**
In William Congreve's play "The Way of the World," the characters navigate a world fraught
with deceit, manipulation, and self-interest. This assignment will explore the motivations of key
characters in the play, analyzing their actions and decisions in relation to themes of morality and
personal gain.

**Character Analysis:**
1. **Mirabell:**
- Discuss Mirabell's motivations in pursuing Millamant.
- Analyze Mirabell's manipulation of other characters and its ethical implications.
- Evaluate the extent to which Mirabell's actions are driven by self-interest versus genuine
emotion.

2. **Lady Wishfort:**
- Examine Lady Wishfort's desire for social advancement and personal gratification.
- Explore the lengths to which Lady Wishfort is willing to go to achieve her goals, including
her treatment of her daughter.
- Discuss the consequences of Lady Wishfort's actions on herself and other characters.

3. **Millamant:**
- Analyze Millamant's insistence on maintaining her independence and agency in matters of
love and marriage.
- Discuss Millamant's moral integrity in contrast to other characters in the play.
- Evaluate the significance of Millamant's refusal to compromise her principles.

4. **Fainall and Mrs. Marwood:**

- Examine Fainall and Mrs. Marwood's motivations for deceit and manipulation.
- Discuss the ethical implications of their actions, particularly in relation to their betrayal of
others.
- Analyze any moments of vulnerability or complexity in Fainall and Mrs. Marwood's
characters.

5. **Witwoud and Petulant:**

- Explore Witwoud and Petulant's roles in perpetuating gossip and frivolity.
 - Discuss the extent to which Witwoud and Petulant contribute to the overall cynicism and
moral ambiguity in the play.
- Evaluate any redeeming qualities or moments of self-awareness in Witwoud and Petulant's
characters.

**Conclusion:**
In conclusion, "The Way of the World" presents a cast of characters whose motivations range
from cynical self-interest to moments of moral integrity. Through a detailed analysis of these
characters, we gain insight into the complexities of human nature and the ethical dilemmas
inherent in navigating a world driven by personal gain.