Richard Steele Edited, with an Introduction and Notes by G. A. Aitken

"The Complete Plays of Richard Steele" by Sir Richard Steele, edited by G. A. Aitken, is a compilation of comedic plays from the early 1700s that demonstrates Steele’s cleverness and comedic style, much like his famous essays. These plays explore topics like love, social norms, and right versus wrong, with characters such as the serious Lord Brumpton and the delightful Lady Sharlot. The beginning of the collection sets the stage by discussing Richard Steele’s life and how he became a playwright, also describing what the theater scene was like back then. It explains how Steele’s experiences, like his time in the military, helped shape his writing, leading to plays such as "The Funeral," which makes fun of how society deals with death and shows his humorous take on people's actions. Overall, the collection gives a good look into the past and points out important ideas that appear throughout his plays.