restoration comedy: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowAcademic/Literary
Quick answer
What does “restoration comedy” mean?
A genre of English drama that flourished after the restoration of the monarchy in 1660, characterised by witty dialogue, sexual innuendo, and satirical portrayals of aristocratic society.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A genre of English drama that flourished after the restoration of the monarchy in 1660, characterised by witty dialogue, sexual innuendo, and satirical portrayals of aristocratic society.
A style of drama or comedy, often satirical, that emerged in the late 17th century England, known for its cynicism, sophisticated wit, and focus on the manners and intrigues of the upper classes.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is used identically in both varieties to refer to the specific historical genre. It is more commonly encountered in British educational and cultural contexts due to its place in the national literary canon.
Connotations
Connotes a specific historical period, literary sophistication, and often risqué or licentious content (reflecting the period's morality).
Frequency
More frequent in British English due to its centrality in UK theatre history and literature curricula. In American English, it is a specialist term in university English or drama departments.
Grammar
How to Use “restoration comedy” in a Sentence
N of N (a restoration comedy of manners)N from the N (a restoration comedy from the 1670s)Adj N (typical restoration comedy)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “restoration comedy” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The play has a distinctly Restoration-comedy flavour.
- His wit was of the Restoration comedy variety.
American English
- The play had a Restoration-comedy style.
- Her dialogue echoed Restoration comedy tropes.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Primary context. Used in literary criticism, theatre history, and cultural studies courses. Example: 'The thesis examines gender politics in Restoration comedy.'
Everyday
Very rare. Might be used in discussions of theatre, classic literature, or history.
Technical
Used as a precise classification in drama, literature, and historiography.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “restoration comedy”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “restoration comedy”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “restoration comedy”
- Using it to refer to any old or classic comedy.
- Misspelling as 'Restoration Comedy' (capitalisation is standard).
- Pronouncing 'restoration' with a strong /eɪ/ in the first syllable (it's /ɛ/).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It roughly spans from 1660, when Charles II was restored to the throne, to about 1710.
William Congreve and William Wycherley are two of the most famous.
Charles II introduced the innovation after his exposure to French theatre during his exile, breaking the tradition of boy actors playing female roles.
Very closely related. Most Restoration comedies are comedies of manners, but 'comedy of manners' is a broader term that can apply to other periods (e.g., Oscar Wilde).
A genre of English drama that flourished after the restoration of the monarchy in 1660, characterised by witty dialogue, sexual innuendo, and satirical portrayals of aristocratic society.
Restoration comedy is usually academic/literary in register.
Restoration comedy: in British English it is pronounced /ˌrɛstəˈreɪʃən ˈkɒmədi/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌrɛstəˈreɪʃən ˈkɑːmədi/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of the RESTORATION of the king (Charles II) leading to a new, less restrictive style of COMEDY in the theatres.
Conceptual Metaphor
THEATRE AS A MIRROR TO SOCIETY (it reflected the looser morals and witty conversation of the aristocratic elite).
Practice
Quiz
What is a defining characteristic of Restoration comedy?