Previous
Imagery
Definition of Irony
Irony is a literary device or event in which how things seem to be is in fact very different from how they actually are. If this seems like a loose definition... read full definition
Irony is a literary device or event in which how things seem to be is in fact very different from how they actually are. If this... read full definition
Irony is a literary device or event in which how things seem to be is in fact very different from how... read full definition
Prologue
Explanation and Analysis—Prologue:
In the prologue, Congreve uses verbal irony (saying the opposite of what he means, through the actor who plays Fainall) to set up the witty satire that is about to follow:
Satire, he thinks, you ought not to expect;
For so reformed a town who dares correct?
To please, this time, has been his sole pretence;
He’ll not instruct, lest it should give offence.
Should he by chance a knave or fool expose,
That hurts none here, sure here are none of those.
In short, our play, shall (with your leave to show it)
Give you one instance of a passive poet.
Who to your judgments yields all resignation;
So save or damn, after your own discretion.
Related Themes:
Act 2, Scene 2
Explanation and Analysis—Scandal in the Park:
In Act 2, Scene 2, Mrs. Fainall asks Mirabell to walk with her to finish the story that was interrupted the night before, when her mother threw him out of her house. She uses verbal irony to explain why it makes sense for the two of them to walk together without Fainall:
Unlock with LitCharts A+[Fainall] has a humour more prevailing than his curiosity and will willingly dispense with the hearing of one scandalous story, to avoid giving an occasion to make another by being seen to walk with his wife. This way Mr Mirabell, and I dare promise you will oblige us both.
Related Themes:
Act 2, Scene 4
Explanation and Analysis—Pretended Uncle:
In Act 2, Scene 4, Mrs. Fainall and Mirabell discuss a plan of Mirabell's. Mrs. Fainall asks about who Mirabell got to play his fake uncle. Dramatic irony comes into play here:
Unlock with LitCharts A+MIRABELL: Injustice to you, I have made you privy to my whole design, and put it in your power to ruin or advance my fortune.
MRS FAINALL: Whom have you instructed to represent your pretended uncle?
MIRABELL: Waitwell, my servant.
MRS FAINALL: He is an humble servant to Foible, my mother’s woman, and may win her to your interest.
Related Themes:
Act 2, Scene 8
Explanation and Analysis—"Sham" Marriage:
In Act 2, Scene 8, Waitwell and Foible arrive in the park. Mirabell lightly admonishes Waitwell for being late, and Waitwell responds in a way that highlights the situational irony of his happy new marriage:
Unlock with LitCharts A+MIRABELL: [....] Sirrah Waitwell, why sure you think you were married for your own recreation, and not for my conveniency.
WAITWELL: Your pardon, sir. With submission, we have indeed been solacing in lawful delights; but still with an eye to business, sir. I have instructed her as well as I could. If she can take your directions as readily as my instructions, sir, your affairs are in a prosperous way.
Related Themes:
Act 3, Scene 6
Explanation and Analysis—Eavesdropping:
In Act 3, Scene 6, Foible carefully finds out what Mrs. Fainall knows about Mirabell's plot. The scene is famous for the dramatic irony that unfolds while Foible tries to make sure the information doesn't get into Mrs. Marwood's hands:
Unlock with LitCharts A+Madam, I beg your ladyship to acquaint Mr Mirabell of his success. I would be seen as little as possible to speak to him. Besides, I believe Madam Marwood watches me.
Related Themes:
Act 4, Scene 4
Explanation and Analysis—Poetic Dialogue:
In Act 4, Scene 4, Millamant and Wilfull have a comic scene shot through with dramatic irony. Millamant is reciting poetry, but Wilfull believes she is speaking to him:
Unlock with LitCharts A+MILLAMANT: That foolish trifle of a heart – Sir Wilfull!
SIR WILFULL: Yes – your servant. No offence I hope, cousin.
MILLAMANT [repeating]: I swear it will not do its part,
Tho’ thou dost thine, employ’st the power and art.Natural, easy Suckling!
SIR WILFULL: Anan? Suckling? No such suckling neither, cousin, nor stripling; I thank heaven, I’m no minor.
MILLAMANT: Ah rustic! ruder than Gothic.
SIR WILFULL: Well, well, I shall understand your lingo one of these days, cousin; in the meanwhile, I must answer in plain English.
Related Themes:
Act 4, Scene 12
Explanation and Analysis—Tenter of Expectation:
In Act 4, Scene 12, Lady Wishfort pleads with Waitwell (who she believes is Sir Rowland) to pardon her long absence to deal with her drunken nephew and his friends. Waitwell's response uses imagery that is laden with verbal irony:
Unlock with LitCharts A+My impatience madam, is the effect of my transport; and till I have the possession of your adorable person, I am tantalized on a rack, and do but hang, madam, on the tenter of expectation.
Related Themes:
Act 4, Scene 15
Explanation and Analysis—Sir Rowland Remasked:
In Act 4, scene 15, it seems that Marwood has at last foiled Mirabell's plan by delivering Wishfort a letter revealing that Sir Rowland is really Waitwell in disguise. In a twist of situational irony, Foible and Waitwell are able to use Wishfort’s hatred of Mirabell to further convince her that Sir Rowland is a real person:
Unlock with LitCharts A+Oh, what luck it is, Sir Rowland, that you were present at this juncture! This was the business that brought Mr Mirabell disguised to Madam Millamant this afternoon. I thought something was contriving, when he stole by me and would have hid his face.
Related Themes:
