ll clearly examine Goldsmith’s use of wit and humour in this play.
Funny Mistakes: The whole play is full of funny mistakes. Marlow thinks Mr. Hardcastle is an innkeeper. Hastings thinks Mrs. Hardcastle is a landlady. These mistakes create many funny scenes. The audience knows the truth, but the characters do not. This makes the play more enjoyable. The jokes are not heavy or cruel. These are soft and sweet. These comic mistakes make the play very lively. Goldsmith uses them to keep the story moving with joy and fun.
Marlow’s Shyness and Boldness: Many lines in the play are full of wit. Charles Marlow has two very different sides. He is shy with rich women but bold with poor ones. When he sees Kate as a barmaid, he talks freely. But when he sees her as a rich girl, he cannot even speak. As Marlow says,
“An impudent fellow may counterfeit modesty; but I’ll be hanged if a modest man can ever counterfeit impudence.”
This shows how Marlow changes his behavior based on class. Goldsmith uses this double-sided approach to make us laugh. But he also helps us understand Marlow’s fear. Marlow’s two identities help him learn more about love and himself.
Kate’s Wit and Trick: Kate is one of the wittiest characters in the play. She speaks with clever words and sharp ideas. Her lines often make people laugh and think. For example, she says,
“A reserved lover, it is said, always makes a suspicious husband.”
It means a man who is too shy in love may become jealous and doubtful after marriage. This shows she understands love well. Kate also uses a smart and funny trick. She dresses like a barmaid to win Marlow’s heart. Marlow is shy with rich girls but bold with poor ones. So Kate “stoops” low to conquer his love.
Tony’s Jokes: Tony is the main joker of the play. He does many silly and funny things. He fools Marlow and Hastings by calling the house an inn. He also tricks his mother by driving her around the garden. She thinks they are far away. He says,
“Ah, it's a highwayman with pistols as long as my arm. A damned ill-looking fellow.”
With this, Tony scares his mother by pretending Mr. Hardcastle is a robber. These jokes are not bad. They are done with fun. Tony’s humour brings joy to others. His actions keep the play light and happy. His jokes teach lessons but never hurt anyone.
Now, we can say that Wit and humour are the life of this play. The play is full of jokes, tricks, and funny talks. But all these are done in a soft and kind way. Goldsmith uses humour to bring out love, truth, and growth. He makes us laugh and learn at the same time. Every character shows some wit. Every act gives some fun. So, humour is not just a part. Instead, it is the soul of the play.
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