She Stoops to Conquer

Oliver Goldsmith's comedy She Stoops to Conquer was first performed in London in 1773. It is both a good-humored comedy and a satire on social manners. A country gentleman, Mr. Hardcastle, plans to have his daughter Kate marry to Charles Marlow, the son of a wealthy aristocrat. Marlow is nervous amongst women of his own class but feels easy amongst serving girls. When they meet, Kate realizes she will have to act as a common girl to marry Marlow and thus poses as a barmaid.