The Toy Shop (1735) The King and the Miller of Mansfield (1737)

"The Toy Shop (1735) The King and the Miller of Mansfield (1737)" by Robert Dodsley is a compilation of two concise plays from the early 1700s that mirror shifts in English drama from that time, highlighting social satire and morality. Through comedy, these plays examine human weaknesses, displaying the author's insight into people and customs. "The Toy Shop" centers on a witty shopkeeper who uses his merchandise to mock the emptiness of social values and vanity, offering moral commentary on the silliness of humanity and what society finds important. Meanwhile, "The King and the Miller of Mansfield" tells a more sincere story of a King who meets an honest miller in Sherwood Forest. The play studies justice and human value, concluding with a declaration that one's character is more important than their title. Together, the plays embody Dodsley's purpose to amuse and inspire reflection upon society's values.