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The play “The School for Scandal” by Richard Sheridan is a comedy of manners. A comedy of manners is usually a satirical comedy that points out weaknesses or double standards in social conventions (Hirst). The play uses a variety of dramatic techniques to satirise the corruption, lies, and deceit of 18th-century England. These techniques include dramatic irony, witty dialogue, satire, asides, mistaken identity, stage directions, double entendre, and suspense to contribute to the play's effectiveness.

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Dramatic irony is one effective technique used in "The School for Scandal.” The audience usually has information that the characters do not have. An example is when Sir Oliver Surface disguises himself as a distant relative and as a money lender to find out the character of his nephews, Charles and Joseph. The audience knows Sir Oliver’s identity, while the characters do not know this. This adds humour to the scene.

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Another dramatic technique employed by Sheridan is his use of witty dialogue. The characters in "The School for Scandal" compete in using witty dialogue. They use clever insults and responses. This helps to reveal the nature of the characters. It also helps to provide comic relief.  An example is in Act II Scene I when Lady Teazle uses wit when responding to Sir Peter’s complaints about her behaviour. She reminds him that she married him because she had no better options, and that he should be grateful.

Additionally, the use of satire in “The School for Scandal” is another dramatic technique. For example, the character of Joseph Surface, who outwardly appears to be upright but is secretly manipulative and selfish, serves as a satire of the hypocrisy of the upper class.

Furthermore, the author uses asides when revealing their innermost thoughts or commenting on the actions of others. For example, when Sir Oliver disguises himself before his nephews, he uses many asides to speak to the audience. This helps the audience understand the characters’ intentions and secrets and enhances dramatic irony.

Concurrently, the author uses mistaken identity as a dramatic technique through Sir Oliver whenever he disguises himself before his nephews.  Sir Oliver disguises himself as a money lender called Mr. Premium to Charles and as a distant relative called Mr. Stanley to Joseph. He does this to test the characters of his nephews. This technique creates misunderstandings and reveals the true nature of Charles and Joseph Surface.

Sheridan uses double entendre as a dramatic technique to add humour and depth to a dialogue. For example, in Act I Scene II, Sir Peter says to Lady Teazle, “When an old bachelor marries a young wife, what is he to expect?” This line can mean that he expects her to be unserious and demanding, but it also implies that he might think that he will cheat on him because she is much younger than him.

Stage directions is yet another dramatic technique used by Sheridan in “The School for Scandal.” An example is the “screen scene” in Act IV when Lady Teazle hides behind a screen while Sir Peter unknowingly talks about her. The screen falls, revealing her, causing shock and embarrassment. The stage direction [goes behind the screen] adds to the humour of the play.

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Suspense is used as a dramatic technique to keep the audience on edge. An example is in Act V when Sir Oliver, who has been pretending to be someone else, finally shows his true identity to Charles and Joseph Surface. The audience is kept guessing about what will happen next as Sir Oliver’s nephews are tested and their true nature is revealed.

Simultaneously, the same scene of Lady Teazle hiding behind the screen and listening to her husband complaining about her is an example of concealment and eavesdropping as a dramatic technique used to increase tension. While hiding, she accidentally becomes part of a secret conversation that she was not supposed to hear, making the situation even more scandalous. This technique helps to reveal secrets in humorous ways.

Foreshadowing, such as the early discussions about the reputations of characters and the information about Sir Oliver’s impending return, is a dramatic technique used to create suspense around later encounters.

In conclusion, Richard Sheridan's "The School for Scandal" is a great example of comedy of manners drama that uses a variety of effective dramatic techniques. These techniques are put together to create a classic and entertaining work that continues to teach people about the dangers of hypocrisy and greed and the destructive power of scandal.

References

Hirst, Dave. “Comedy of Manners.” (1979).

Set Text Guide: The School for Scandal, qualifications.pearson.com/content/dam/pdf/A%20Level/Drama-and-     Theatre/2016/teaching-and-learning-materials/A-level-Set-Text-Guide-The-School-for-Scandal.pdf. Accessed 10 Nov. 2024

Sheridan, Richard Brinsley, and Eric S. Rump. The School for Scandal and Other Plays.   Penguin Books, 1988.