The Double Dealer Characterization

In the previous two articles on William Congreve’s The Double Dealer, we discussed the themes and plot of this play. But, this one is concerned with Congreve’s art of characterization because characters play important roles in any drama.

As we know (through the study of previous articles) The Double Dealer is a presentation of (a) Love Intrigues (b) Coquetry, as well as (c) Cuckold. Congreve dexterously/smartly depicts the Immortality of wives as well as the helplessness of the husbands.

All female characters of the play except its heroine (Cynthia), as well as their husbands, are instances of them. Actually, the dramatist the life of Restoration society with carefree abandon. 

It seems that the writer of The Double Dealer is not at their best when he portrays the character of Mellefont who is the hero of the play. But, he is seen at his best when portraying the character of Maskwell who is the villain as Cynthia (the heroine). The characters of the two aforementioned persons even outshine the character of the hero Mellefont.

See also

The Double Dealer Plot Analysis

The Double Dealer Summary

In fact, Maskwell’s (a) Villianiy (b) Treachery, as well as (c) Lust in The Double Dealer is more powerful than Mellefont’s (a) Honesty, as well as (b) True Love. Women characters such as Lady Froth, Lady Plyant, as well as Lady Touchwood are ever ready for having other lovers. That is why all of them are categorized as adulterous as well as unfaithful wives. 

But, who is one of the main characters in William Congreve’s play The Double Dealer, remains steady as well as constant in her love with Mellefont irrespective of his living in the midst of immoral and treacherous people. At last, it can be said that  William Congreve, through this play, tries to instruct as well as reform contemporary society by exposing as well as denouncing the vices having some bearing on public welfare.