Ernest Bernbaum offers a comprehensive overview of the development and significance of English sentimental comedy and domestic tragedy during the period 1696-1780. He analyzes the literary, social, and political influences that shaped these genres, including the emergence of new forms of sociability, the evolution of women's roles, and the debates over moral and sentimental values. This book is a must-read for students of English literature and drama, as well as anyone interested in the cultural history of the period. This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work is in the "public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.