The Social Mode of Restoration Comedy - Historical

In this review of The Social Mode of Restoration Comedy readers will find a measured, scholarly account suited to those who study English drama and theatrical history. Kathleen M. Lynch traces comedy from Jonson to Shirley and situates Restoration comedy within the broader shifts of the late 16th and 17th centuries; the single biggest reason to buy is its focused historical narrative that connects late Jacobean and Caroline serious drama to the rise of Restoration wit. This is a review for readers wanting a concise, contextual history rather than a modern performance guide.

Key Features

• Historical scope: Covers comedy from Jonson through Shirley, providing a continuous narrative of dramatic change across periods.
• Restoration focus: Explores the specific social and theatrical conditions that shaped Restoration comedy, giving context to the emergence of new comic modes.
• Connection to serious drama: Discusses serious drama in the Reign of Charles I to show contrasts and continuities with comic practice.
• Period analysis: Addresses the period of Etherege and its role in transitioning theatrical styles, useful for understanding key playwrights and trends.
• Compact presentation: As a single-volume study published in 1967, it offers a concentrated treatment ideal for literature courses and researchers seeking a historical overview.

Who It's For

This book is for literature students, drama scholars, and historically minded readers who want a focused account of how English comedy developed into the Restoration period. It suits course reading lists that need a clear narrative linking Jonson, Shirley, and the later comedies of the 17th century.

Readers seeking playtexts, modern performance advice, or contemporary annotations of individual plays should look elsewhere, since the work functions as historical and critical narrative rather than an annotated theatrical edition.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Provides a clear historical through-line from Jonson to Shirley that aids understanding of dramatic evolution.
• Situates Restoration comedy within wider social and dramatic shifts, making it useful for contextual study.
• Concise and focused, so it is accessible for course adoption and targeted research.

Cons

• Does not include playtexts or modern performance notes, limiting use for practitioners seeking staging guidance.

Specifications

Title	The Social Mode of Restoration Comedy (Routledge Revivals)
Author	Kathleen M. Lynch
Publication year	1967
Subject	History of English drama and criticism
Coverage	Comedy from Jonson to Shirley; serious drama in the Reign of Charles I; period of Etherege
Category hint	Books - Literature & Fiction, History & Criticism, Drama

Our Verdict

For students and scholars seeking a focused historical account of Restoration comedy, Lynch's book is a compact, well-structured resource that links major playwrights and dramatic trends. It offers good value as a contextual reference, though readers wanting texts or modern staging guidance should pair it with editions of the plays themselves.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this book include play excerpts?
No. The book is a historical and critical study rather than a collection of playtexts.

Is it suitable for undergraduates?
Yes; its concise narrative and clear focus make it appropriate for literature or drama survey courses.

What periods and authors does it cover?
It traces comedy from Jonson to Shirley, discusses serious drama in Charles I's reign, and addresses the period of Etherege.