Written during Farquhar's stint in Shrewsburyas part of a recruiting mission in 1704-5, The Recruiting Officer is abuoyant, whimsical piece stocked by a fairly conventional cast ofcharacters: the rake-hero and his spirited lady (who dons breeches inthe course of the action), his sober friend and the heroine's seriousfriend, the buffoon/coxcomb and his ill-fated amorous or heroicventures. What makes the play entertaining is Farquhar's light, humanetouch; what makes it original is his depiction of a real-lifeprovincial town and the impact that ongoing warfare (in this case theWar of the Spanish Succession) had on its civilian society.

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