Congreve gives us exactly what a French or English Restoration piece calls for: satire, wit, and an honest yet inconspicuous view of the human condition as perceived in 1695. While many of the characters do not actually appear to be "good" people, their manipulative personalities and sometimes evil ways are simply a representation of what was going on in the theatre around this time. Restoration required BIG characters with even bigger character flaws. When done well this play is a hysterical comedy with a great view into the personal problems of the era. (Goodreads)