This text is satirical, using wit and social observation to create humor. People watching this play at the time would have been from the middle and upper classes and would have seen something of themselves in the characters. Indeed, this text is critical of the wealthy in society, depicting them as being frivolous and shallow. Most characters are concerned with social status above all else in considering who they will marry. This includes the character of Mr. Worthy, who makes a great mistake in initially rejecting Melinda before she receives a large inheritance from a relative.
This play also satirizes army recruitment officers, who are depicted as resorting to unscrupulous and illegal measures to enlist more recruits. Plume is depicted as incredibly vain and arrogant, pretending to be interested in Rose to convince her brother Bullock to enlist. Kite tells dramatic lies, promising wealth and heroism to all who enlist. When this doesn’t go entirely to plan, he pretends to be a fortune teller, to make his remarkable predictions seem more reliable.
This text is an excellent example of a Restoration Comedy, or a Comedy of Manners. Farquhar uses wit and verbal humor to mock the upper classes, who are presented as vain and pretentious. He also uses exaggerated stock characters to emphasize particularly undesirable characteristics. Additionally, the use of disguise, confusion and miscommunication are key aspects of a Restoration Comedy.
