The opening of the book asserts the importance of early English comedies as reflections of social manners and historical perspectives, arguing that comedy serves as more than mere entertainment—it mirrors contemporary life and cultural ideals. Gayley introduces foundational elements of English comedy, tracing its evolution from liturgical performances and saints’ plays through to secular forms, emphasizing how these comedic roots laid the groundwork for future playwrights. He hints at a variety of content by discussing themes such as comedy’s relation to societal values and norms, setting the stage for a deeper exploration of the comedic works and their authors throughout the remainder of the collection. (This is an automatically generated summary.)