Why was The Way of the World later revived more often than William Congreve’s other plays?

The Way of the World (1700) is considered William Congreve’s masterpiece, distinguished by its brilliant combination of intricate plotting and incisively humane portraiture. While many of his contemporaries focused on themes of appetite and lust, Congreve’s work is noted for being far subtler and demonstrating a deeper sensitivity toward the individual.12

Although the play was a failure with its initial audience, it is now recognized as the finest example of Restoration comedy and is the only one of Congreve’s plays that is frequently revived. Its enduring appeal lies in its status as a classic of the comedy of manners, where Congreve’s writing rises above that of his peers through the perfection of his phrasing and the delicacy of his feeling.23