Congreve, << KON greev, >> William (1670-1729), was an English dramatist who wrote witty, sophisticated comedies. The best of his five plays are Love for Love (1695) and The Way of the World (1700). They contain lively and clever speeches as well as memorable characters and comic situations. They have a polished prose style and a civilized, realistic view of life. The Way of the World presents a satirical picture of a cultured, worldly, high society. The play laughs at hypocrites, boors, would-be wits, fools, and aging coquettes. Congreve’s most popular play during his lifetime was The Mourning Bride (1697), his only tragedy. It contains the famous line “Music has charms to soothe a savage breast.”
Congreve was born on Jan. 24, 1670, in Yorkshire, and grew up in Ireland. He entered law school in London in 1691, but preferred writing and the leisurely life of a man about town. He wrote little after 1700. He died on Jan. 19, 1729.
