 Support the Monkey! Tell All your Friends and Teachers |
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Support the Monkey! Tell All your Friends and Teachers |
Table of Contents Notes Act I introduces the characters and reveals the complexity of the plot, although much of the important information is supplied indirectly. There is a quality of indeterminacy that is maintained throughout the play, so that later developments and intrigues will be effective. The plot does not unfold in a linear fashion. For example, important events alluded to in the conversation between Fainall and Mirabell have already taken place. At first glance, Fainall and Mirabell appear to be similar, but as their conversation progresses, their distinct personalities emerge. Both are witty rakes. It is only by the gradual revelation of their inner natures that one is able to distinguish between the hero and the villain. Fainall’s cynicism is contrasted with Mirabell’s role as a commentator on the society of which he is also a part. Congreve drops clues that foreshadow the animosity that develops later between Fainall and Mirabell. For instance, when Fainall cynically comments about the significance of a woman’s reputation, Mirabell nonchalantly replies, "You have a state extremely delicate, and are for refining your pleasures," possibly hinting at Fainall’s affair with Mrs. Marwood. Mirabell’s seriousness surprises Fainall, who then proceeds to question him about the events of the previous evening. Fainall’s curiosity is fueled solely by base self-interest. He wants to know about the developments in Mirabell’s relationship with Millamant because Mirabell is his rival in this matter. Fainall is in need of money and is hoping to attain half of Millamant’s fortune. Fainall also suspects that his mistress, Mrs. Marwood, loves Mirabell and wants to find out whether Mirabell reciprocates her feelings.
The audience is informed that Mirabell’s first attempt to win Millamant by pretending to love Lady Wishfort (who controls half of her niece’s fortune) has already been unsuccessful. Mrs. Marwood exposed Mirabell's clever plot. Mirabell suspects that Fainall is having an affair with Mrs. Marwood and, therefore, knew about her decision to expose him. Mirabell further blames Mrs. Marwood for turning Lady Wishfort against him. When Mirabell remarks, "for the discovery of this amour, I am indebted to your friend, or your wife’s friend, Mrs. Marwood," he subtly insinuates that Mrs. Marwood is Fainall’s mistress. This provokes Fainall, who denies that Mrs. Marwood was responsible for enlightening Lady Wishfort and then retorts, "What should provoke her to be your enemy unless she has made you advances which you have slighted? Women do not easily forgive omissions of that nature." This hasty reply indicates Fainall’s guilt, and it also indicates that he suspects that his mistress has feelings for Mirabell. As a result, Mrs. Marwood seems to be the main reason for the current rift between Fainall and Mirabell. This part of the conversation draws to a close as Mirabell accuses Fainall of being unduly concerned about Mrs. Marwood’s reputation. Fainall cannot answer this accusation and escapes on the pretense of meeting Witwoud and Petulant in the next room. Fainall’s escape is well timed. It gives Mirabell the necessary privacy to receive the message that his valet, Waitwell, has married Lady Wishfort’s maid, Foible, in accordance with his plans. While the details of Mirabell’s plan are not revealed until the second act, his happiness indicates that he foresees some remedy to his present problems. Therefore, Congreve arouses the audience's curiosity without destroying the element of surprise that will result when Mirabell’s plot is unfolded later. Another aspect of the conversation between Mirabell and Fainall demands attention. When Fainall re-enters, Mirabell comments that he loves Millamant in spite of all her faults. Mirabell is unlike the sentimental romantic lover, blinded by his mistress’s beauty to the reality of her being. Mirabell excuses her follies, however, saying that they are so natural that they suit her. Mirabell pursues a woman because he loves her; Fainall pursues women only because of money. Witwoud and Petulant, who are also courting Millamant, are introduced in this act. They are fops who have false wit; their type is common in Restoration Drama. They do not serve any significant part in the action, but add humor to the play. Their main purpose is to serve as a contrast to Mirabell’s superior wit. They try to imitate the manner and wit of Mirabell, an unaffected and accomplished gentleman, but fail miserably. Witwoud, in particular, appears to be a hypocrite. His criticism of Petulant’s faults is strikingly at odds with his flattery of the man when Petulant is present. Petulant is an example of an affected character who wants to create the impression that he is a fashionable gentleman; but he emerges as a mere fop. He goes to the extent of having prostitutes dressed as fine ladies call on him at odd hours in order to appear to be popular. Witwoud remarks that often Petulant goes to the extent of even calling on himself. Witwoud’s criticism of Petulant’s behavior indicates that he is perhaps better than Petulant. The argument between Mirabell and Petulant, as the scene draws to a close, serves to contrast the two characters. Mirabell is often taken to be Congreve’s representative of the ideal Restoration gentleman. Here, he shows genuine concern about offending the ladies, which contrasts with Petulant’s conceited attitude as he declares that he is "in a humor to be severe." The scene closes with Mirabell’s comment that Petulant’s wit is in fact "impudence and malice." Table of Contents | |
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