Author
George Farquhar
Died 1707
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WikipediaSubjects
Books by George Farquhar
The Recruiting Officer
"The Recruiting Officer" by George Farquhar is a play written in 1706. It follows two English Army officers—the womanizing Captain Plume and the cowardly Captain Brazen—as they recruit soldiers in Shrewsbury. Their military mission becomes entangled with romantic pursuits and social schemes. Sylvia disguises herself as a male recruit to be near Plume, while Worthy attempts to win back the now-wealthy Melinda. Through mistaken identities, dubious recruiting tactics, and romantic rivalries, the play weaves together the complications of love and ambition in this Restoration comedy.
The Beaux-Stratagem
"The Beaux-Stratagem" by George Farquhar is a comedy first produced in 1707. Two fashionable gentlemen, Aimwell and Archer, have fallen on hard times and devise a scheme to travel through small towns seeking wealthy heiresses to marry. Arriving in Lichfield, they take turns playing master and servant to deceive the locals. Aimwell pursues the beautiful Dorinda while Archer befriends her unhappily married sister-in-law, Kate Sullen. Their plans grow complicated as genuine feelings emerge and a band of thieves threatens the household.
The Beaux-Stratagem: A comedy in five acts
"The Beaux-Stratagem: A comedy in five acts by George Farquhar" is a comedy first produced in 1707. Two impoverished gentlemen, Aimwell and Archer, devise a scheme to marry wealthy heiresses and restore their fortunes. Traveling to Lichfield, they target the beautiful Dorinda, with Archer posing as Aimwell's servant to deceive the locals. Complications arise when Aimwell genuinely falls in love, the innkeeper's daughter pursues Archer, and a band of thieves plots to rob their intended targets, threatening their carefully laid plans.
The Constant Couple; Or, A Trip to the Jubilee: A Comedy, in Five Acts
"The Constant Couple; Or, A Trip to the Jubilee: A Comedy, in Five Acts" by George Farquhar is a play written in 1699. This Restoration comedy follows three rivals competing for the affections of Lady Lurewell, a wealthy heiress, triggering a cascade of comic misunderstandings. The play marked Farquhar's first major theatrical success and introduced the rakish Sir Harry Wildair, a character so popular he returned in a 1701 sequel. Staged at London's Drury Lane Theatre, the comedy has enjoyed numerous revivals over the centuries.
The Inconstant
"The Inconstant" by George Farquhar is a comedy written in the early 18th century. The play revolves around themes of love, fidelity, and the complications that arise from romantic entanglements, showcasing the experiences and interactions of various characters, particularly two young men, Mirabel and Duretete, as they navigate societal expectations and personal desires. The opening of "The Inconstant" introduces a lively scene set in the streets of Paris, establishing the return of Young Mirabel from his travels abroad and his reunion with Captain Duretete. Their lively banter hints at their flirtatious pursuits and introduces Old Mirabel, Young Mirabel's father, who is eager to rekindle familial ties. As characters arrive and interact, themes of deception and romantic intrigue unfold, particularly concerning the affections and intentions surrounding Oriana, a woman cherished by many. The comedic tone is palpable in the witty exchanges, providing a foundation for the ensuing chaos and misunderstandings set to unfold throughout the play.