The Country Wife

Definition

The Country Wife is a restoration comedy written by William Wycherley, first performed in 1675. The play satirizes the sexual politics and social mores of the Restoration period, highlighting the contrast between urban and rural values. Through its characters, especially the witty and cunning Mrs. Pinchwife, the play explores themes of desire, deception, and the pursuit of pleasure in a society marked by hypocrisy and pretension.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Country Wife is known for its bold sexual themes and has been both celebrated and criticized for its treatment of women and marriage.
2. The character of Horner pretends to be impotent to gain access to the wives of other men, reflecting the theme of deception that runs throughout the play.
3. The play features an array of stock characters common in Restoration comedy, including the rake, the virtuous woman, and the jealous husband.
4. Wycherley's work was considered groundbreaking for its time, challenging contemporary norms regarding fidelity and gender roles.
5. The Country Wife was one of the first plays to depict the complexities of urban sexual life versus rural simplicity, revealing the moral ambiguities present in both settings.

Review Questions

• How does The Country Wife reflect the social norms and attitudes of the Restoration period?
  • The Country Wife reflects Restoration social norms through its exploration of sexual politics and marriage dynamics. The play exposes the hypocrisy prevalent in society, particularly regarding fidelity and male desire. Characters like Horner manipulate societal expectations to navigate their desires, showcasing how individuals conformed to or rebelled against societal conventions in pursuit of pleasure.
• Discuss the role of deception in The Country Wife and how it contributes to character development.
  • Deception plays a crucial role in The Country Wife, as many characters employ trickery to achieve their goals. Horner's ruse of being impotent allows him to engage with married women without attracting suspicion, while other characters use lies to navigate relationships. This web of deceit highlights the complexity of human interactions and character motivations, revealing deeper truths about desire and morality in Restoration society.
• Evaluate how Wycherley's portrayal of gender roles in The Country Wife challenges or reinforces contemporary views on women during the Restoration period.
  • Wycherley's portrayal of gender roles in The Country Wife both challenges and reinforces contemporary views on women. While Mrs. Pinchwife exhibits agency through her cunningness and defiance against male control, other female characters conform to traditional roles as submissive wives. This duality reflects the tension between evolving perceptions of women's independence and societal expectations, ultimately illustrating how Restoration comedy navigated these conflicting narratives while inviting audiences to reconsider their views on gender.

Related terms

Restoration Comedy:

A genre of English comedy that emerged after the Restoration of Charles II in 1660, characterized by its focus on sexual intrigue, witty dialogue, and the exploration of social class.

Molière: A French playwright whose works influenced Restoration comedy; he is known for his comedic portrayals of social hypocrisy and moral shortcomings.

Wit:

A form of intelligent humor characterized by cleverness and verbal ingenuity, often used in Restoration plays to expose societal flaws.