bradgibbon's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
chargriffith's review against another edition
Just could not get interested in it.
christian_mcguire's review against another edition
2.0
Comedy ages poorly, and comedy also typically has an intended audience in mind. I, not being a rich person from 1770's Britain, found this supposed laughing comedy to be devoid of any laughs. I don't think that is because of She Stoops To Conquer's age, as it is very readable and its humor is based in substance rather than dated jokes. Instead, I found this play unfunny, and also boring and contemptible because I find it sheerly unrelatable. The character of Marlowe, who is intelligent, shy and prudish, I could somewhat relate too, but even then he's still a posh, rich heir. I also related to the servants but perhaps not for the intended reasons. Otherwise the characters are all rich snobs who I failed to care about or take seriously as characters. Kate Hardcastle in particular I could not suspend my disbelief, and it seems that Goldsmith had no idea what real young women are actually like. Furthermore, this play fails at storytelling. The B-story centered around Tony and Miss Neville is very boring, and the A-story spends most of the play setting up and then skips straight to the climax at the end. The lack of actual action other than a neat and unsatisfying climax is simply bad storytelling. There's no stakes as I don't care about the characters and there's no tension as 80% of the play is a nothing-burger. I found it readable, memorable, and the parts with Marlowe to be somewhat enjoyable, but I can't say I enjoyed it or walked away having gained anything other than a better sense of how not to write a comedy.
aimimii's review against another edition
5.0
I didn’t expect to like it as much as I did, very chaotic and hilarious. marlow’s mortification is a balm to my aching chest, truly.
cantordustbunnies's review against another edition
4.0
A fun, light hearted play whose comedy centers around misconceptions and manners. The time period and culture that it takes place in really adds a lot and I can see where costuming, set design, and nailing down accents would be integral parts to the play. For a modern audience this witty window into time is still quite entertaining. Certainly though it is on the trifling side of comedy. I'm sure if you are quite knowledgeable about history you could appreciate how in many ways this play was quite ground breaking and unique but for the average reader or audience the play in and of itself runs the risk of being enjoyable but not exactly highly memorable. Under the correct director and with the right actors I can see this play being amazing and really funny. I would actually love to see this turned into a film, with meticulous attention paid to costume especially. I feel like a warped, stereotyped, caricatured version of costuming and set design would suit the satirical nature of this play quite well. I wish that it was either more fleshed out and a bit more serious or even more over-the-top and ridiculous but as it is it's uncluttered and breezy which can be refreshing.
eb00kie's review against another edition
5.0
While the title would rather put one in the mind of Artemisia of Caria, it is not misleading, with regards to the plot, and does not disappoint. Because the childishly rigid tone is set by father and suitor, both men of status and power, the moral flexibility of the weak becomes a foil, an unexpected means for character development.
theobscurereader_7's review against another edition
challenging
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75