The Way of the World Chapter Summary & Analysis - Act 4, Scene 2 Summary

Act 4, Scene 2 Summary

This scene takes place in the dining room of Lady Wishfort's house, with Millamant, Mrs. Fainall, Lady Wishfort, Witwoud and Sir Wilfull. Lady Wishfort is lecturing Sir Wilfull about his drunkenness, comparing him to Borachio, a drunken schemer in Shakespeare's Much Ado about Nothing. Sir Wilfull is happily drunk, however, and makes broad declarations about how he will marry Millamant. Millamant and Mrs. Fainall leave.

Foible enters to tell Lady Wishfort that Sir Rowland is waiting for her. Lady Wishfort asks Witwoud to take Sir Wilfull away, and then reflects that Sir Wilfull will not make a good husband for Millamant. Waitwell then enters (pretending to be Sir Rowland). She apologizes for leaving him alone to deal with Sir Wilfull, and he notes that he is in a hurry to be married to her and will be impatient until they get married. He adds that he will die of a...
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