Introduction: Scholars argue that Colley Cibber (1671 – 1757) was an actor-manager, writer, and poet laureate. He wrote the first sentimental comedy named ”Love’s Last Shift” (1696). We will know here what Sentimental Comedy is.
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Sentimental Comedy
Sentimental comedy is an 18th-century dramatic style which is originated as a response to the immoral tone of English Restoration Plays. A sentimental comedy is a type of play in which the sufferings of middle-class people are characterised in order to arouse pity and sympathies of the audience. Sentimental comedies deal with different types of problems regarding to marriage, family life etc. Sentimental comedies include serious, philosophic and moral aims. These plays aim to generate tears rather than laughter in front of the audience. Middle-class protagonists successfully overcome a rank of moral trials in this type of comedies. The best-known sentimental comedy is ”The Conscious Lovers” (1722) by Sir Richard Steele (1672 – 1729). This comedy deals with the trials and tribulations of its penniless heroine Indiana.
Conclusion: Whatever the argues, this type of comedy develops the store of English Plays. This comedy deals with moral and philosophic aspects.
