The Way of the World

Mirabell is a “man-about-town,” or a man of good fashion and manners, known for socializing. Arguably, Mirabell is the closest to a libertine, or “rake,” in The Way of the World, distinguished from a man-about-town by a penchant for womanizing. Mirabell’s control over Mrs. Fainall’s estate implies that he may also be trained in legal matters, though he is not explicitly a lawyer. As his name implies, Mirabell is an attractive and charming man, and Mrs. Fainall, Mrs. Marwood, Lady Wishfort, and Millamant all express romantic interest in Mirabell at some point in the play’s narrative. However, Mirabell is manipulative, and his main goal in wooing different women is to get their money; he is thus at the center of the play’s exploration of The Manipulation of Appearances for Personal Gain. Conveniently, Mirabell falls in love with Millamant, who happens to be in possession of a large fortune that can only be obtained by marrying with Lady Wishfort’s approval.

Mirabell is the protagonist of the play, but this role does not imply that he is an example of good morals or ethical behavior. Rather, Mirabell is the center of the play, around which his and other characters’ schemes revolve.