This paper examines how one of the distinctive features of Restoration comedy is the figure of the
rake as romantic
hero.
The image of the
rake-
hero is of a witty, cynical, calculating, and self-serving man who pursues his own pleasure above all other considerations. It looks at the significance of the rake-hero as a symbol of social disorder by considering three plays, "The Careless Lovers" (1673) by Edward Ravenscroft, "The Man of Mode"' (1676) by George Etherege, and "Love's Last Shift" (1696) by Colley Cibber. Outline Introduction The Rake and his Times Careless in "The Careless Lovers" Dorimant in '"The Man of Mode" Loveless in "Love's Last Shift" Conclusions