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LOVE FOR LOVE was brought out in the year 1695, at the new
theatre in Portugal Row, Lincoln's Inn Fields, and is the most
diverting of all Congreve's comedies. The characters are less
artificial and less inspired by unpleasant motives than usual.
"There are no revolting scoundrels; and the lovers really have
some love." The plot is ingenious without being perplexing,
and full of stage effect; while the dialogue, instead of acting
merely as a vehicle for wit, is suited to the develDpment of the
story and the condition of the speakers. The demure cunning
with which Miss Prue learns her lessons in love, and her eagerness
to put them into practice, are in the finest spirit of comedy.
This character is the forerunner of those artful damsels who
have so long held the stage, whose conduct and proceedings are
at thorough variance with the apparent modesty of their demeanour
and the severity of their domestic training. The
portrait of the querulous astrologer, though now out of date
and consequently lacking in interest, was in Congreve's day
true to life. "The character of Foresight," says Dr. Johnson,
"was then common. Dryden calculated nativities; both Cromwell
and King William had their lucky days; and Shaftesbury himself,
though he had no religion, was said to regard prediction."
The SUCCESS of this play was so complete that Congreve was
asked to write one every year for the new house.
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