Man of Mode (New Mermaid Series)

Rating:
Summary: The pattern of modern foppery
Review: 'The Man of Mode', first performed in 1676, is perhaps the most well-known of the plays Sir George Etherege authored during his short career as a playwright. The play is held together more by characterization & theme (e.g. appearances, affectations, class, sexual immorality) than a chain of events. Etherege is in no hurry to initiate the plot, starting the play as he does with a first act devoted entirely to the morning activities of Dorimant (the protagonist of the play), part of a long tradition going back to Ben Jonson's 'Epicene'. This allows us to get to know a bit more about what kind of person the hero is, and to define his relationships to the other characters in the play. Incidentally, Dorimant was said to be modelled after the Earl of Rochester, a celebrated rake of Charles II's court.

As a counterpoint to the witty, charming, fashionable Dorimant there is Sir Fopling Flutter, who gives his name to the alternate title of the play. Sir Fopling is, as his name suggests, a fop-- in fact, he is the first (and one of the best) renderings of the type found in a Restoration play. He's an Englishman who has gone to France and picked up all the affectations, mannerisms and fashions of that country, as well as some badly mangled French words & expressions, which he so liberally injects into his speech. Vain & self-absorbed, he remains oblivious to both the insults thrown at him by other characters and the fact that he is (to speak as Sir Fopling does) an idiot *par excellence*.

The events of the play, such as they are, revolve around ending & beginning relationships. Characters are united (Young Bellair & Emilia), others part ways (Dorimant & Loveit), and then there are Dorimant & Harriet. The play ends without answering the question of whether Dorimant is really in love with Harriet, or if she's just another in a long line of affairs. Yes, he swears he loves her like he's never loved another woman, but I bet a man like him would have told that to all the girls he seduced. Then again, maybe he really is sincere. At least a romantic such as myself would like to believe it.

One final note: this is a great play to read, since, much like Moliere, the dialogue is the thing. If you enjoy wit & verbal play, the Man of Mode has 'em in spades!