The Relapse

Written in defiance of Jeremy Collier and the budding fashion forsentimental drama, this late Restoration comedy exposes the reformedrake Loveless to the temptations of London and the charms of a merrywidow, neither of which he is able to withstand.

More memorable thanthe straying husband, however, is Restoration comedy's ultimatefollower of fashion, Lord Foppington, who defends himself in theEpilogue by observing that no highwayman or Jacobite was ever welldressed.

As the introduction to this edition argues, Sir John Vanbrugh- dramatist, architect and member of the influential Kit Cat Club -presents courtship and marriage not only with cynicism, but also withmoral bravery and social impudence; qualities not much in evidence inhis sentimental rivals.