"Lovers' Vows" in Austen's Work

A significant part of the text is taken up with the intended performance of the play "Lover's Vows". Having very briefly read the synopsis of the play, and considering the "scandalous" nature of the play in the eyes of Austen's characters, researching contemporary criticism on the impropriety of the play may offer interesting interpretations on what the characters in Austen's work think of as improper. Furthermore, in looking at the actual plot and meaning of the play, the casting of certain characters, like Edmund as Anhalt might provide further insight into Austen's portrayals of the characters. My research then would consider the play itself, and perhaps the reception it received upon its initial release and in its subsequent translation into English. The edition of Austen's text that I was given also has a footnote revealing that the supposedly improper subject matter of the play was typically perceived of German plays of the time. As each of the characters in Austen's work have varying degrees of perception on what is proper, notably those of Henry and Maria vs. Fanny and Edmund, the actual perceptions of Austen's day may reveal much about the logic of their oppositions.