The McNaughtens

by Jean-François Regnard

"The McNaughtens" by Jean-François Regnard is a comedic play with romantic elements written in the late 17th century. The story revolves around mistaken identities and love entanglements primarily set in London. The likely topic of the play touches on themes of deception, love, wealth, and the complexities of human relationships in a comedic backdrop. The plot centers on Captain McNaughten, who discovers that he has a twin brother, leading to a series of misunderstandings as they navigate love and inheritance. The Captain, upon arriving in London, quickly entangles himself in a love triangle involving Flavella, the daughter of George Hastings, and Urania, an older woman with designs on him. As the brothers' identities overlap, their interactions create comedic chaos, especially when each brother inadvertently engages with the women supposedly meant for the other. This confusion climaxes when both halves of the McNaughten family must confront their desire and intentions amidst the backdrop of inheritance, love, and societal expectations, ultimately culminating in a joyfully chaotic resolution.