The Country Wife
The play unfolds in 17th-century London, centering on the character Horner, who pretends to be impotent to gain access to the company of women without the jealousy of their husbands. This ruse allows him to navigate the social circles of the town's elite women, including Lady Fidget, Mrs. Dainty Fidget, and Mrs. Squeamish, who are all intrigued by him. Horner's friend, Pinchwife, is a jealous husband who has recently married a country girl, Margery. He is overly protective and attempts to keep her away from the corrupting influences of the city. However, Margery is curious and naive, leading to comedic misunderstandings and her eventual attraction to Horner. As the plot progresses, Pinchwife discovers that his wife has been writing letters to Horner, which he interprets as evidence of infidelity. Meanwhile, Alithea, Pinchwife's sister, is caught in a love triangle involving Harcourt, who is in love with her but is also entangled in the machinations of the other characters. The play explores themes of jealousy, deception, and the complexities of love and marriage. The characters engage in witty banter and clever wordplay, revealing their true intentions and desires. Ultimately, the farcical situations culminate in a masquerade ball, where identities are obscured, and the characters' true feelings come to light. Horner's clever manipulation of his reputation as an impotent man allows him to navigate the social dynamics of the time, while Pinchwife's jealousy and Margery's innocence create a comedic tension that drives the narrative. The play concludes with a series of revelations and reconciliations, highlighting the absurdities of love and the societal expectations placed on men and women.
By William Wycherley · First published 1675 · Genre: Comedy, Restoration Comedy, Social Satire · 13 chapters · 59,350 words
First lines
Dramatis Personae Mr. Horner. Mr. Harcourt. Mr. Dorilant. Mr. Pinchwife. Mr. Sparkish. Sir Jasper Fidget. A Boy. A Quack. Waiters, Servants, and Attendants. Mrs. Margery Pinchwife. Alithea, Sister of Pinchwife. Lady Fidget. Mrs. Dainty Fidget, Sister of Sir Jasper. Mrs. Squeamish. Old Lady Squeamish. Lucy, Alithea's Maid.
Scene: London
What this Textopian page supports
The Country Wife is listed on Textopian as a play by William Wycherley, dated 1675 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Play
- Author: William Wycherley
- Date: 1675 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Comedy, Restoration Comedy, Social Satire, Drama, Farce
- Length: 59,350 words
- Structure: 13 chapters, 1,751 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Country Wife by William Wycherley
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
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Discussion starters
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Genres
- Comedy — The play employs humor and satire to critique societal norms and relationships.
- Restoration Comedy — It exemplifies the characteristics of Restoration comedy, including witty dialogue and sexual intrigue.
- Social Satire — The work satirizes the morals and behaviors of the upper class in 17th-century England.
- Drama — It contains dramatic elements that explore themes of love, deception, and societal expectations.
Tags
Comedy · Satire · Restoration Drama · Marriage · Infidelity · Social Class · London Society · 18th Century England · Moral Commentary · Social Satire · Wit · Humor
Contents
- SCENE I
- SCENE I
- SCENE I
- SCENE I
- SCENE I
- Epilogue
- SCENE II
- SCENE II
- SCENE II
- SCENE III
- SCENE III
- SCENE IV
- SCENE IV