Which one of the following plays mock the Restoration drama of Dryden and Thomas Orway?

Correct option is D

The Rehearsal by George Villiers, the Duke of Buckingham, is a satirical play that parodies the bombastic style and elaborate plots of Restoration drama, specifically targeting playwrights like John Dryden and Thomas Otway. Villiers mocks the conventions of heroism, hyperbolic expressions, and dramatic structure, offering a humorous critique of popular drama in the late 17th century.
Information Booster:
1. Target of Satire: Villiers aimed his satire at Dryden’s heroic tragedies, specifically exaggerating dramatic elements for comedic effect.
2. Satirical Tone: The Rehearsal employs a meta-theatrical approach, ridiculing theater tropes within a play, a technique ahead of its time.
3. Historical Context: Restoration drama often glorified grand narratives; Villiers critiques this through the absurdity of exaggerated character traits and plotlines.
Additional Information:
· (a) The Beggar's Opera by John Gay: Critiques corruption in society and the government, not specifically targeting Restoration drama.
· (b) Tom Thumb by Henry Fielding: A burlesque that parodies heroic tragedy but focuses on its own narrative rather than Restoration works.
· (c) The Critic by R.B. Sheridan: Parodies contemporary dramatic criticism, but not Restoration playwrights.