
The Conscious Lovers
*The Conscious Lovers* is a Restoration comedy by Richard Steele that explores themes of love, virtue, and social class. It advocates for genuine affection over superficial status and material wealth, emphasizing the importance of integrity and moral character in relationships. The play features characters who navigate misunderstandings and societal expectations to find true love based on sincerity and virtue. Its message encourages audiences to value inner qualities and moral goodness, challenging superficial social values prevalent at the time. Overall, it promotes the idea that meaningful love is rooted in conscience and virtue rather than external appearances or wealth.