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She Stoops to Conquer
She Stoops to Conquer is a comedy play by Anglo-Irish writer Oliver Goldsmith, first performed in London in 1773. Goldsmith's best-known play, it is a cornerstone of English literature and theatre classes in the English-speaking world. It is one of the few 18th-century plays that have retained their popularity and are still regularly performed. Regarded as a classic of the period, the work has been adapted for films on numerous occasions, including in 1910, 1914, and 1923. The play is notable as the origin of the common phrase "Ask me no questions and I'll tell you no lies."
The play was originally titled Mistakes of a Night and its events take place in one long night. The work revolves around Kate Hardcastle, who disguises herself as a barmaid to gain the attention of Charles Marlow, an attractive man who is nervous around upper-class women but confident and bold with those from the class system's lower levels. The plot involves a series of misunderstandings, deceptions and manipulations, primarily orchestrated by Kate, who pretends to be the barmaid to test Marlow's actual character. Ultimately, Marlow realises his mistake and falls in love with Kate's mannerisms, leading to their engagement. The work explores themes of social class, honesty, and the differences between appearances and true character. It is generally categorised in the comedy of manners genre, and satirises the idea of social classes and courtship rituals.
On its release, the play was praised by several critics, including Samuel Johnson and James Boswell, who regarded it as one of Goldsmith's finest literary achievements. The play remains important due to its contribution to the genre of English drama, its exploration of social themes during the Georgian era, and its enduring popularity among audiences. In 1778, Irish dramatist John O'Keeffe wrote a loose sequel, Tony Lumpkin in Town.
Act I begins at the Hardcastles' home in the countryside. Mrs. Hardcastle complains to her husband that they never leave their rural home to see the new things happening in the city. Hardcastle says he loves everything old, including his old wife. Mrs. Hardcastle says she was a young woman when she had her first husband's son, Tony, and he is not yet twenty-one; Hardcastle complains about Tony's immaturity and love of pranks. Tony enters on his way to a pub, and his mother follows him offstage, begging him to stay and spend time with them.
Hardcastle's daughter Kate enters. He remarks on her fashionable clothing, which he dislikes. Kate reminds him of their deal: she wears what she likes in the morning and dresses in the old-fashioned style he prefers at night. Hardcastle then reveals big news: his friend Sir Charles's son, Marlow, is coming to visit, and Hardcastle hopes Kate and Marlow will marry. Hardcastle says Marlow has a reputation for being handsome, intelligent and very modest. Kate likes all but the last part of this description and resolves to try to make a good impression on Marlow.
Hardcastle exits, leaving Kate to think over her visitor. She is joined by her cousin Constance, whom she tells about Marlow's impending visit. Constance tells her that she knows Marlow: he is the best friend of her suitor, Hastings. The odd thing about Marlow is that he is terribly shy around upper-class women, and therefore often seduces lower-class women instead. Mrs. Hardcastle wants Constance to marry her cousin, Tony, so that Constance's inherited jewels stay in the family. Constance tells Kate that she pretends to be willing to marry Tony so that Mrs. Hardcastle won't suspect she loves Hastings. Luckily for Constance, Tony doesn't want to marry Constance any more than she wants to marry him.
The scene changes to a bar, where Tony is drinking with a group of lower-class men. The bar's owner says that two fashionable-looking men have arrived who say they are looking for Mr. Hardcastle's house. Tony realizes that this must be Marlow and decides to trick Marlow into believing that Hardcastle's house is an inn.
Act II begins with Hardcastle trying to teach his servants how to behave in front of his guests. Soon after, Marlow and Hastings arrive at what they believe to be an inn. Hardcastle enters and tries to engage his guests in conversation, but the two young men ignore what he says, believing him to be a lowly innkeeper. Hardcastle is shocked by their rude, presumptuous treatment of him.
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She Stoops to Conquer
She Stoops to Conquer is a comedy play by Anglo-Irish writer Oliver Goldsmith, first performed in London in 1773. Goldsmith's best-known play, it is a cornerstone of English literature and theatre classes in the English-speaking world. It is one of the few 18th-century plays that have retained their popularity and are still regularly performed. Regarded as a classic of the period, the work has been adapted for films on numerous occasions, including in 1910, 1914, and 1923. The play is notable as the origin of the common phrase "Ask me no questions and I'll tell you no lies."
The play was originally titled Mistakes of a Night and its events take place in one long night. The work revolves around Kate Hardcastle, who disguises herself as a barmaid to gain the attention of Charles Marlow, an attractive man who is nervous around upper-class women but confident and bold with those from the class system's lower levels. The plot involves a series of misunderstandings, deceptions and manipulations, primarily orchestrated by Kate, who pretends to be the barmaid to test Marlow's actual character. Ultimately, Marlow realises his mistake and falls in love with Kate's mannerisms, leading to their engagement. The work explores themes of social class, honesty, and the differences between appearances and true character. It is generally categorised in the comedy of manners genre, and satirises the idea of social classes and courtship rituals.
On its release, the play was praised by several critics, including Samuel Johnson and James Boswell, who regarded it as one of Goldsmith's finest literary achievements. The play remains important due to its contribution to the genre of English drama, its exploration of social themes during the Georgian era, and its enduring popularity among audiences. In 1778, Irish dramatist John O'Keeffe wrote a loose sequel, Tony Lumpkin in Town.
Act I begins at the Hardcastles' home in the countryside. Mrs. Hardcastle complains to her husband that they never leave their rural home to see the new things happening in the city. Hardcastle says he loves everything old, including his old wife. Mrs. Hardcastle says she was a young woman when she had her first husband's son, Tony, and he is not yet twenty-one; Hardcastle complains about Tony's immaturity and love of pranks. Tony enters on his way to a pub, and his mother follows him offstage, begging him to stay and spend time with them.
Hardcastle's daughter Kate enters. He remarks on her fashionable clothing, which he dislikes. Kate reminds him of their deal: she wears what she likes in the morning and dresses in the old-fashioned style he prefers at night. Hardcastle then reveals big news: his friend Sir Charles's son, Marlow, is coming to visit, and Hardcastle hopes Kate and Marlow will marry. Hardcastle says Marlow has a reputation for being handsome, intelligent and very modest. Kate likes all but the last part of this description and resolves to try to make a good impression on Marlow.
Hardcastle exits, leaving Kate to think over her visitor. She is joined by her cousin Constance, whom she tells about Marlow's impending visit. Constance tells her that she knows Marlow: he is the best friend of her suitor, Hastings. The odd thing about Marlow is that he is terribly shy around upper-class women, and therefore often seduces lower-class women instead. Mrs. Hardcastle wants Constance to marry her cousin, Tony, so that Constance's inherited jewels stay in the family. Constance tells Kate that she pretends to be willing to marry Tony so that Mrs. Hardcastle won't suspect she loves Hastings. Luckily for Constance, Tony doesn't want to marry Constance any more than she wants to marry him.
The scene changes to a bar, where Tony is drinking with a group of lower-class men. The bar's owner says that two fashionable-looking men have arrived who say they are looking for Mr. Hardcastle's house. Tony realizes that this must be Marlow and decides to trick Marlow into believing that Hardcastle's house is an inn.
Act II begins with Hardcastle trying to teach his servants how to behave in front of his guests. Soon after, Marlow and Hastings arrive at what they believe to be an inn. Hardcastle enters and tries to engage his guests in conversation, but the two young men ignore what he says, believing him to be a lowly innkeeper. Hardcastle is shocked by their rude, presumptuous treatment of him.