The Way of the World is a comedy play written by the English playwright William Congreve, first performed in 1700. It premiered in the theatre in Lincoln’s Inn Fields in London. It is widely regarded by critics as one of the finest works of Restoration comedy ever written, and has often been called a centrepiece of the genre. Initially, however, the play struck many audience members as continuing the “immorality” of the previous decades, and was not well received. Public perception of the play gradually changed over time, and it eventually became noted for its important role in shaping the comedy of manners genre during the Restoration period, and continues to be adapted for performances in operas, concerts, and theatres. The Restoration period was a time of “fashionable facade.”
William Congreve’s The Way of the World (1700) is the peak of Restoration comedy and the comedy of manners. It satirizes upper-class hypocrisy, greed, and marital economics, tracing the witty lovers Mirabell and Millamant as they out-maneuver social traps and secure their fortunes.
Englishmen condemned sexual promiscuity in public, but in private took a liking to the well-executed French wit, and such is reflected in the subject matter of the play. This may have contributed to the play not being well received when it initially came out.
Sometimes, we might ask ourselves: What is the sense of doing this and that? What is the meaning of life? I am sure, each and every one of us looks for a good life.
When you’re struggling in life, take assurance in the fact that everyone else struggles like you do. We may not have similar struggles, but it’s still a struggle nonetheless. If struggles didn’t exist, we’d have no way to appreciate the beauty and wonders of life.
Sometimes, we seem to remain very optimistic. We think it’s easy to always find a good life. Most of the time, we are in doubt or, we even choose to be unhappy without any reason at all. To wake up in the morning with pessimism and fall asleep at night, dissatisfied and unhappy – yes, that makes life miserable.
Face it: Living a good life is not living a life without problems. Living a good life comes from acknowledging, facing, and then transcending each problem as it comes. If you let the problems get you down, you’ll always be down. Choose instead to let the problems get you up, get you going, and get you working on solving them
On the other hand: Without happiness and satisfaction there is indeed no space for peace in our hearts and minds. Therefore there is no domestic harmony and logically, no peace on earth. The meaning of happiness is trying to manage life even with big problems, difficulties and trials. I learned this from Filipinos after staying in the Philippines as an expatriate for good since 1999.I was really surprised to experience mutual happiness, friendship, love, unity and communal spirit with relatives in my surroundings. Even during the really not easy last three years.
Of course, I also found myself in very negative situations. I observed people, who seem to live an easy go lucky way of life. But, they were like actors and actresses on stage, wearing incredible masks and pretending to be what they are not.
Hence, in Greek, they are the so-called hypocrites. Maybe also you and I belong to them from time to time. Fear of rejection or displeasure of other people are becoming our daily friends. In society, it’s called “good public relations”. Politely greeting and smiling with a set of purpose: to win them there for business.
So, what really counts for us in life? Success? Power? Strength? Money? Is it contentment? Is it peace on earth? Is it peace in our homes? Zest for life?
Let us go through life’s journey: From time to time, we have been babies bubbling like a brook on the first blush of spring. We hurried up, unaware of problems and troubles, being unconscious of time, as adults we worried and became conscious of money. Then, suddenly, we looked at our faces, the first wrinkles, and the bald patch on the forehead, the first grey hair. We observed our teeth falling out and our eyeglasses got thicker and our bones crack here and there.
We start the familiar line: “When I was young… .” And we realize our mortality. Death could knock at our door any time. We feel humbled. We have mellowed.
Have I done no wrong? Have I been selfless or selfish? Have I been mission-oriented since then? Have I lived a life worthy in God’s eyes? What really counted for me? Ano ang mahalaga? Paniniwala? Pag-asa? O kaya pagbibigayan at pagtutulungan?
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