The play centers on the social maneuvering and romantic entanglements of Dorimant, a notorious rake navigating the rigid expectations of Restoration London society. Dorimant seeks to maintain his reputation and satisfy his desires while attempting to discard his current mistress, Mrs. Loveit, in favor of the wealthy heiress Harriet Woodvill. He faces opposition from the women he has deceived, who employ their own wit and social strategies to challenge his dominance. The narrative unfolds through a series of public encounters and private schemes, highlighting the performative nature of high-society interactions. The text adheres to the conventions of the comedy of manners, utilizing sharp dialogue and intricate plotting to expose the vanity and artifice of the aristocratic class.

Discussion often centers on the play's status as a definitive example of Restoration comedy and its cynical view of human relationships. Readers frequently highlight the sharpness of Etherege's wit and the complexity of the protagonist's moral ambiguity. Critics often examine how the work reflects the social anxieties and gender dynamics of the late seventeenth century. The balance between the play's comedic elements and its underlying critique of aristocratic behavior remains a frequent topic of analysis for students and scholars alike.