The Plain Dealer by William Wycherley Full Summary and Analysis I Comedy of Manners I Restoration

Summary

This video introduces 'The Plain Dealer,' a Restoration comedy by William Wycherley, first performed in 1676. The play, praised by John Dryden but criticized for its obscenity, revolves around Captain Manly, a distrustful sailor deceived by his lover, Olivia, and best friend, Vernish. As Manly seeks revenge, he unknowingly sends a disguised heiress, Fidelia, to seduce Olivia, only to eventually discover her true identity and marry her. The video also discusses a secondary plot involving Freeman’s attempts to marry a wealthy widow. The presenter invites viewers to access more English literature resources on their website.

Takeaways

• 📚 The video discusses William Wycherley's *The Plain Dealer*, a Restoration comedy staged in 1679.
• 🔔 The speaker introduces their website, offering study materials, audio lectures, and PDF downloads for English literature students.
• 👩‍❤️‍👨 The main character, Captain Manly, is a sailor who doubts everyone except his lover, Olivia, and his friend, Vernish.
• 🤦‍♂️ Olivia betrays Manly by marrying Vernish, which leads Manly to seek revenge by sending a disguised girl (Fidelia) to seduce Olivia.
• 🎭 *The Plain Dealer* is inspired by Molière's *The Misanthrope* and is considered one of Wycherley’s finest works alongside *The Country Wife*.
• 🎉 The play received praise from contemporaries like John Dryden and John Dennis, but was criticized for its obscenity, typical of comedies of manners.
• 💔 Manly’s mistrust in society reflects his belief in plain dealing, leading him to misanthropy after discovering Olivia’s and Vernish’s betrayal.
• 👩 Fidelia, disguised as a page boy, reveals her true identity as a wealthy heiress in love with Manly, leading them to plan a future together.
• 💼 The subplot involves Lieutenant Freeman trying to marry a wealthy widow for her fortune, but she outsmarts him by protecting her assets.
• 🔍 Manly’s character represents Wycherley’s critique of society, where even the most honest people are corrupted by deceit and hypocrisy around them.

Q & A

What is the main subject of the video?

The video focuses on the play 'The Plain Dealer' by William Wycherley, first performed in 1676, which is a Restoration comedy.

Who is the writer of 'The Plain Dealer' and what is its significance?

'The Plain Dealer' was written by William Wycherley and is considered one of his finest works, along with 'The Country Wife.' It is based on Molière’s 'Le Misanthrope.'

What are the key themes in 'The Plain Dealer'?

The key themes include honesty, mistrust, misanthropy, and the critique of society’s hypocrisy, explored through the character of Captain Manly, who distrusts everyone except his sweetheart Olivia and his friend Varnish.

Who is Captain Manly and what is his role in the play?

Captain Manly is the title character of 'The Plain Dealer.' He is an honest, surly sailor who distrusts everyone except for Olivia, his sweetheart, and Varnish, his friend. His experiences with betrayal lead him to misanthropy.

What is the major conflict Captain Manly faces in the play?

Captain Manly faces betrayal when his sweetheart Olivia jilts him and marries his best friend Varnish. This prompts him to seek revenge by sending a disguised page boy to seduce Olivia, unaware that the page is a girl in love with him.

What is the secondary plot of 'The Plain Dealer'?

The secondary plot involves Lieutenant Freeman attempting to marry a wealthy old widow, Black Care, for her fortune. Black Care resists his advances, and the subplot explores themes of greed and manipulation.

How does Captain Manly eventually find out the truth about Olivia and the page boy?

Captain Manly discovers Olivia’s betrayal and her secret marriage to Varnish during a confrontation. In the ensuing commotion, he also discovers that the page boy he sent to seduce Olivia is actually a woman, Fidelia, who is in love with him.

What happens to Captain Manly and Fidelia at the end of the play?

At the end of the play, after discovering Fidelia’s true identity, Captain Manly decides to marry her, and they plan their future together in the West Indies.

What is the critique of society presented in 'The Plain Dealer'?

The play offers a dark critique of society’s hypocrisy and lack of honesty. Captain Manly, as a 'plain dealer,' represents someone who speaks truthfully, but he finds no firm ground in a world filled with liars, hypocrites, and self-interested people.

How does 'The Plain Dealer' compare to Wycherley’s other plays?

'The Plain Dealer' is considered one of Wycherley’s darker works, offering a more pessimistic view of society than his other plays like 'The Country Wife.' It is regarded as his final work and his most direct commentary on societal flaws.