This is an annotated edition of William Congreve's play The Way of the World (1700). This edition, besides elucidating the text, attempts to bring out its larger social implications and moorings. It thus addresses a lingering prejudice about the shallowness and moral bankruptcy of the Restoration comedy of manners. The author has analysed, before examining the play, the social and historical background of the author and his works. Further, he has also added a brief discussion of the Restoration comedy, including the other comedies of Congreve.