Definition & Meaning of "comedy of manners"

What is a "comedy of manners"?

A comedy of manners is a type of play or film that focuses on the behaviors, customs, and social interactions of a particular class or group of people, often with an emphasis on satirizing their manners and social pretensions. This genre typically features witty dialogue and humorous situations that reveal the characters' social habits, hypocrisy, and eccentricities. The aim is to entertain while offering a critique or commentary on societal norms and conventions.