Sheridan's firstplay, TheRivals, written in 1775, is also a comedy that uses disguise and romance to probe social issues. A clever use of language is notable in this play, which, like School for Scandal, offers generational discord as a motif.

Sheridan was often compared with William Congreve, whose Way of the World is considered to be one of his finest comedies. This comedy makes use of witty dialogue to demonstrate how foolish human nature can be.

The French playwright, John Baptiste Poquelin Moliere, is often cited as an influence on Sheridan. School for Wives, was first presented in 1662. The play is a satire and makes use of mistaken identity and misunderstandings to help further its plot.

Oliver Goldsmith's play, She Stoops to Conquer, presented in 1773, was also an attack against the sentimental comedy of the Restoration Age. Goldsmith is sometimes described...