Books by William Congreve

With modern spelling, a fully annotated edition of this English play, including a critical introduction, biography of the author, discussions of dates and sources, textual details, bibliography and information about the staging of the play.

Originally published in 1925, the text for this edition of Semele was compiled from the 1710 edition of Congreve's works and the altered version adopted by Handel and published in 1762. This book will be of value to anyone with an interest in the works of Congreve and Handel.

In this volume Anthony Henderson recalls Congreve's successful career and provides the texts of his four comedies together with notes and a short critical biography, describing the conventions within which Congreve worked and the reception of his plays in his own day and thereafter.

With piercing accuracy William ongreve depicted the shallow, brittle world of 'society' where the right artifice in manners, fashion and conversation--and money--eased the passage to success. Through sparkling, witty dialogue and brilliant characterisation--Lady Plyant, Valentine, Lady Touchwood, Mirabell and Millamant--Congreve exposed the follies and vanities of that world, and suggested that behind the glinting mirror lay something more brutal. 'The language is everywhere that of Men of Honour, but their Actions are those of Knaves; a proof that he was perfectly well acquainted with human Nature, and frequented what we call polite company.' --Voltaire 'Congreve quitted the stage in disdain, and comedy left it with him.' --A contemporary