Essays on the Stage: Preface to the Campaigners (1689) and Preface to the Translation of Bossuet's Maxims and Reflections on Plays (1699)

"Essays on the Stage" by Thomas D'Urfey is a collection of dramatic essays and prefaces written in the late 17th century. The work addresses controversies surrounding morality and the stage, reflecting ongoing debates about the nature of comedy and its role in society at that time. D'Urfey's essays notably include a response to criticisms from Jeremy Collier, who condemned the "immorality and profaneness" of contemporary plays. At the start of the collection, the author outlines his motivations for penning a familiar yet satirical preface to his comedy "The Campaigners." D'Urfey reacts to the criticism he received from Collier, aiming to defend the value of theatrical expression against the moralistic lens of the contemporary critics. In a humorous and combative style, he addresses the specific points of critique laid out by Collier, asserting the importance of comedy as a form of entertainment that also serves to expose vice and encourage virtue. This opening portion effectively sets the tone for a spirited defense of the theatrical art form, blending wit with serious discourse on the moral implications of comedy in society.