SOURCE: Huseboe, Arthur R. “The Comical Revenge; or, Love in a Tub (1664).” In Sir George Etherege, pp. 51-66. Boston: Twayne Publishers, 1987.

In the following essay, Huseboe analyzes the structure and major themes of The Comical Revenge, particularly noting Sir Frederick Frollick's significance as a unifying element in the play.

“a New Tone and Attitude”

What was there in George Etherege's first play to make it the most popular comedy to be performed since the restoration of the London stage in 1660? Was it the novelty of his portraying lifelike people in contemporary London settings, as has been frequently suggested, that led to an unprecedented month-long run in March 1664? Or was it that Etherege had cleverly brought together in one comedy the best ingredients of a variety of different well-liked types of drama?

The combination in The Comical Revenge of social comedy with serious heroic play and lively farce was...