Essays on the Stage Preface to the Campaigners (1689) and Preface to the Translation of Bossuet's Maxims and Reflections on Plays (1699)

"Essays on the Stage" by Thomas D'Urfey is a compilation of essays and prefaces from the late 1600s that argues for the importance of comedy and theatrical works within society. D'Urfey responds to critics, particularly Jeremy Collier, who attacked the perceived immorality of plays at the time. The author uses satire and humor to defend comedy as not only a form of entertainment, but also a way to reveal bad behavior and guide people toward virtue, which is illustrated in the author's preface to his own comedy work. Through wit and serious discussion, D'Urfey champions the freedom of theatrical expression, positioning comedy as a valuable tool for social commentary against those who sought to censor it based on strict moral grounds.