02353cam a22003613u 4500 37546 UtSlPG 20260610133845.0 m cr n 260607r2011||||utu|||||o|||||||||||||| d 68005122 UtSlPG en iso639-1 PR Anonymous The Female Wits Salt Lake City, UT : Project Gutenberg, 2011 1 online resource : multiple file formats text txt rdacontent computer c rdamedia online resource cr rdacarrier Release date is 2011-09-27 Produced by Chris Curnow, Katie Hernandez, Joseph Cooper and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net "The Female Wits" by Anonymous is a comedic play written in the early 18th century. This satirical work is an exploration of the dynamics between male and female playwrights during a time when women were beginning to assert their presence in the literary world. The narrative centers around three women playwrights, symbolically representing figures like Mary de la Riviere Manley, as they navigate the challenges of theatrical criticism and gender bias. The opening of "The Female Wits" introduces us to the character Marsilia, a self-important poetess preparing for a rehearsal, showcasing her vanity and obsession with flattery. As she interacts with her maid and a fellow playwright, Mrs. Wellfed, the dialogue reveals their competing egos and the absurdity of their ambitions. Their conversations are rife with sarcastic commentary on the nature of theatrical productions, the role of women in writing, and the relentless quest for approval in a male-dominated literary world. This initial act sets up a humorous exploration of the characters' follies, presenting a lively and exaggerated backstage atmosphere filled with melodrama and wit. (This is an automatically generated summary.) Original publication data not identified Manley, Mrs. (Mary de la Rivière), 1663-1724 -- Drama Trotter, Catharine, 1679-1749 -- Drama Pix, Mary, 1666-1720 -- Drama Women dramatists -- Drama Hook, Lucyle https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/37546 78386 78386