The Way of the World: Plot Summary

William Congreve is a renowned playwright of the Restoration period. He greatly influenced the comedy of manners genre. He wrote popular comedies like The Old Bachelor, The Double Dealer, Love for Love, and The Way of the World. Congreve's The Way of the World is a quintessential Restoration comedy. It satirizes the hypocrisy and materialism of the upper class of 17th century England. It is known for its brilliant dialogue and sharp wit. It offers a cynical yet humorous look at society. It revolves around love, marriage and inheritance.

This play is full of characters. They are connected to each other in some way or the other. This play exposes some of the dark secrets of these characters. This play is the story of two lovers, Mirabell and Millamant. They wish to marry each other but face obstacles. They are trying to find ways to marry each other. They need the approval of Lady Wishfort. Lady Wishfort is Millamant’s domineering aunt. She is a prosperous lady. The lovers need her approval otherwise she would not give them her property which lies in her hands. The attempt of these lovers to get approval of marriage makes the story interesting. They want to achieve her property by hook or by crook.

The Way of the World has been divided into five acts. Act I of The Way of the World is very interesting. It introduces the complex story of relationships and intrigues. This act begins with a card game between Mirabell and Fainall. It seems that they are close friends. But the reality is that beneath the surface their relationship is marked by rivalry and deception. Mirabell is deeply in love with Millamant. She is Lady Wishfort's niece. Fainall is secretly married to Mirabell's former lover, Arabella. As the act progresses, we become familiar with Mirabell's complex scheme to win Millamant's hand. He is aware that Lady Wishfort is strongly standing against their relationship. To overcome this obstacle Mirabell tries to show Lady Wishfort that Millamant is interested in marrying Sir Wilful. This person is a wealthy but foolish country gentleman. The act concludes with the introduction of other key characters. The intricate plot begins to unfold as these characters interact. Their interaction creates a story of deceit, desire, and social manipulation

Act II of this play is a pivotal act. It significantly advances the plot. It suitably reveals the complex relationships between the characters. This act opens with a conversation between Mrs. Fainall and Mrs. Marwood. Here they express their mutual disdain for men. Their relationship is a complex mix of friendship and rivalry. Fainall enters and accuses Mrs. Marwood of being in love with Mirabell. This accusation creates tension and suspicion among the characters. Mirabell and Mrs. Fainall have a private conversation where she reveals her hatred for her husband. The plot thickens when Mirabell and Mrs. Fainall discuss their plan to trick Lady Wishfort into marriage. They enlist the help of Mirabell's servants, Waitwell and Foible, to create a false identity for Waitwell as Sir Rowland. The act ends with Foible encouraging Lady Wishfort to consider marrying Sir Rowland. This act creates intricate web of relationships. It introduces the main plot of the deception involving Sir Rowland. It prepares the groundwork for the coming comedic and dramatic conflicts. Additionally, this act provides necessary information about the personalities and desires of characters. Such information makes them more complex and engaging.

In Act III of The Way of the World the plot thickens and the intricate web of deceit and manipulation becomes more apparent. The act primarily revolves around the conspiracy of Fainall and Marwood. They are attempting to exploit Lady Wishfort for financial gain. They prepare a plan to blackmail Lady Wishfort by threatening to expose her daughter's affair with Mirabell. They think that his would give them control over Lady Wishfort's fortune and also Millamant's inheritance. In this act Lady Wishfort falls prey to deception. In fact she is eager to marry and secure her social standing. She is manipulated by Foible, her maid. She believes that she is about to wed a wealthy suitor, Sir Rowland (actually Mirabell in disguise). Meanwhile, Mirabell and Millamant's relationship continues to develop. Mirabell remains determined to win Millamant's hand in marriage. He navigates the complex social landscape and continues to charm Millamant with his wit and intelligence. Mrs. Fainall's contempt for her husband grows. She finds herself drawn to Mirabell. Marwood's jealousy and bitterness towards Millamant intensify. Overall, Act III is a turning point in the play, marked by heightened tension, deceit, and the exposure of hidden agendas. The stage is set for a dramatic climax as the characters' carefully constructed plans begin to crumble.

Act IV of The Way of the World is a pivotal point in the play. It is filled with intrigue and deception. It is a step closer to the resolution of the complex web of relationships. The act primarily unfolds in Lady Wishfort's house. This act begins with Lady Wishfort preparing for the arrival of her suitor, Sir Rowland. She is eager to make a good impression. She secures Foible's assistance in this context. To prevent the marriage between Millamant and Mirabell, Fainall continues his scheme. Driven by jealousy and revenge Mrs. Marwood reveals Mirabell's plot to Lady Wishfort. This creates a dramatic confrontation and sets the stage for the climax. Despite the turmoil, Mirabell manages to propose to Millamant and she accepts. Their witty and playful exchange highlights their perfect compatibility. Fainall takes advantage of the opportunity and gets Waitwell arrested on false charges. Overall, Act IV is characterized by heightened tension, unexpected twists, and a deepening of the characters' motivations. It serves as a catalyst for the final act, where the intricate plot will reach its conclusion.

Act V of this play is the climax of the play. Here the intricate web of deceit and manipulation unravels leading to a satisfying resolution. The act opens with Lady Wishfort’s anger. She is angry at Foible for her role in Mirabell's scheme. She threatens to imprison Foible but Mrs. Fainall intervenes and reveals her own betrayal by Marwood. The ensuing chaos and accusations lead Lady Wishfort to a state of despair. Meanwhile, Mirabell and Millamant's relationship is put to the test as Millamant considers marrying Sir Wilfull to secure her fortune. However, Mirabell's clever maneuvering and Millamant's true feelings ultimately prevail. The act culminates with a series of revelations and confrontations. Fainall asserts his control over his wife's fortune and threatens Lady Wishfort. Mirabell, however, manages to turn the tables, exposing Fainall's true character and securing his own happiness with Millamant.

In the end, justice is served, and the characters find their rightful places in society. The play concludes with a sense of triumph for Mirabell and Millamant, while the villains face the consequences of their actions. In short, The Way of the World revolves around marriage, infidelity as well as inheritance. It explores the human mind and willingness to get what they want through whatever means.