Philanderer by George Bernard Shaw

 

The Philanderer is a comedy by George Bernard Shaw, written in 1893 but first performed in 1905. The play revolves around Frank Gardner, a charming but shallow young man who is a self-proclaimed philanderer—someone who casually flirts with and seduces women without any real intention of committing. Shaw uses this character to explore themes of love, marriage, and gender roles in Victorian society, particularly the double standards surrounding men and women’s behaviour.

• A core work in Shaw’s Plays Unpleasant, illuminating early feminist issues and divorce law

• Contains both revised and original radical endings—scholarly editions include the restored original third act

• Engaging dialogue and exploration of double standards and personal freedom

• Varies in length—compact booklet formats (~92 pages) and fuller annotated editions (~208 pages)