by Sir George Etherege (1636 – 1691/2) is his best known play and is also considered the best of the three he wrote. First performed in 1676 at the Dorset Gardens theatre it was often revived in the next thirty years and is frequently performed today.
The story lines in the play are not especially complex. It explores the promiscuity and sexual games of several characters. The rake-hero Dorimant is planning to rid himself of one mistress, Mrs Loveit, and take up with her friend, Belinda, while deciding to court a rich heiress, Harriet, with a view to marriage. Harriet falls for Dorimant and deceives her mother in order to gain him. A young couple, Young Bellair and Emilia overcome more parental opposition to their marriage by Old Bellair, who has designs on Emilia
1993 words
Citation: Lewcock, Dawn. "The Man of Mode". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 18 September 2007 [https://www.litencyc.com/php/sworks.php?rec=true&UID=243, accessed 25 November 2024.]
