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Plays, Written by Sir John Vanbrugh, Volume the First is a collection of works by the famed Restoration playwright Sir John Vanbrugh, known for his witty comedies and sharp social commentary. The volume includes his best-known plays, offering a humorous and satirical look at the upper classes, their pretensions, and the social mores of the time.One of the highlights in this volume is The Relapse, a sequel to John Dryden's The Man of Mode, where Vanbrugh presents a comedy filled with intrigue, mistaken identities, and witty dialogue. The play critiques the moral decay of society through its portrayal of the protagonist, who attempts to reconcile his desires for both virtue and vice, leading to comic consequences.Another significant work included in this volume is The Provoked Wife, which explores the complicated dynamics of marriage, infidelity, and gender relations. In this play, Vanbrugh critiques both the institution of marriage and the roles of men and women in society, presenting a satire that exposes the hypocrisies of the time.