The Theater (1720)

"The Theater" by Sir John Falstaffe is a compilation of insightful essays from the 1700s that extend Richard Steele's earlier work and explore the era's societal and cultural norms through clever and amusing observations. The essays, written by “Sir John Falstaffe” (who claims to be the executor of Sir John Edgar’s will), starts with the the author introducing himself and playfully debating the nature of authors and wit with the audience, even teasing a past humorous competition with Richard Steele. The initial essay examines Edgar's inheritance and satirizes the silly trends of the time, like playing the stock market and fighting duels, and establishes the book's pattern of thoughtful and mocking commentary on 18th-century existence throughout the rest of the essays.