main features of restoration comedy with special reference to congreve the way of the worldnote on main features

The Answer I would like to give dividing into two parts as
it is quite long to encompass it within one post.

Part
1:

A Restoration comedy is a form of comedy which
flourished during the Restoration  in England (1660-1700). According to M. H. Abrams
-

It deals
with the relations and intrigues of men and women living in a sophisticated upper-class
society, and relies for comic effect in large part on the wit and sparkle of the
dialogue - often in the form of repartee, a witty conversational
give and take which constitutes a verbal fencing match - and to a lesser degree, on the
violations of social standards and
decorum...

Actually, the
common features are: witty dialogue, intrigues in the plot, and most
importantly satirizing of that contemporary Restoration upper-class social
system. The way of the Word is an excellent example
of Restoration comedy, since it contains all the above
characteristics.

In The Way of the
World, the phrase "the way of the world" has been recurrently used, for
example, Fainall first uses it in Act 2 : "the Ways of Wedlock and this World", and
repeats in the third act : "all in the Way of the World" and also in the final act, And
at the end Mirabell's mocking approach: "'tis the Way of the World, Sir; of the Widows
of the World". This repetitive motif makes it clear that the play is concerned with the
problems of the social system. Marwood and Fainall are those who eavesdrop, blackmail
and play intrigues. Both Fainall and his wife pretend to be very nice with each other,
though, both know that each is wearing a facade. Marwood and Fainall use each other for
their own sake. Millamant feels comfortable when she is surrounded with men, though, she
is aware of the fact that the men are simply foolish. Lady Wishfort's sole desire is to
hold on youth and beauty. Millamant does not forget to bargain with Mirabell before
accepting her proposal in the proviso scene. Thus, Marwood's eavesdropping and
blackmailing, Lady Wishfort's continuous attempt to make herself look younger, or
Millamant's staying surrounded by fools and bargaining, and, Mrs. Fainall's being
deceived by Mirabell - all these express feminine vulnaribility in that contemporary
society. The falsehood in a marital relationship is depicted nicely through the Fainall
couples. In fact the aristocratic men in the Restoration society would do nothing but
playing cards and drinking chocolates, which are justly portrayed in The Way of the
World. So, undoubtedly, Congreve's play is a wonderful social satire in the face of a
witty comedy. In the epilogue, you will find these ironic lines quite a satiric evidence
of this: "Tho' they're on no Pretence for Judgement fit/ But that they have been Damned
for Want of Wit."

The intrigue, in the plot, is a
significant theme, and has been used as a tool to satirize the degradation and follies
in the social and individual behaviors. This intrigue is best expressed via the
hide-and-seek between the Fainalls. Both the husband and the wife lack love, faith and
adjustment. They hate each other, get involved in extra-marital affair, yet, both
pretend to be extremely loving to each other in front of others. Fainall bears his
marital life since his sole concern is his wife's money. And, this is the money which
makes Marwood play love-game with Fainall. Mirabell, too, plays with innocent Wishfort
to get her niece. So, all are planning and scheming against one another for their own
sake.