The School for Scandal
By Richard Brinsley Sheridan
Cover: Mr and Mrs William Hallett ('The Morning Walk') (1785), oil on canvas by Thomas Gainsborough (1727-1788) · Wikimedia Commons · Public domain (artist died 1788)
Lady Sneerwell and her circle trade in malicious gossip, and the hypocritical Joseph Surface schemes against his generous, spendthrift brother Charles for the hand of a rich ward. The return of their wealthy uncle Sir Oliver, in disguise, tests both nephews, and the famous screen scene brings the lies down.
Summary written with Claude Sonnet 5.5.