English Comic Drama 1700-1750

"English Comic Drama 1700-1750" is a definitive scholarly examination of the evolution of the British stage during a transformative period in literary history. Author F.W. Bateson provides a comprehensive survey of the comic playwrights and theatrical trends that defined the first half of the eighteenth century, bridging the gap between the licentiousness of the Restoration and the growing sentimentality of the Georgian era.

The work explores the shift in comedic sensibilities, analyzing how social changes and evolving moral standards influenced the writing of major and minor figures alike. By focusing on the years 1700 to 1750, Bateson highlights the emergence of the sentimental comedy and the decline of the comedy of manners, offering critical insights into the works of Colley Cibber, Richard Steele, Henry Fielding, and their contemporaries. The book serves as an essential resource for students of English literature and theater historians, illuminating the aesthetic and intellectual currents that shaped one of the most vibrant periods of English dramatic output. Bateson's analysis remains a foundational text for understanding the interplay between society and the stage during the Augustan age.

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