The Country Wife by William Wycherley: A Satirical Comedy of Manners
The Country Wife (1675) by William Wycherley is a bold and bawdy Restoration comedy that satirizes the hypocrisy, sexual intrigue, and social pretensions of 17th-century English aristocracy. With its witty dialogue, farcical situations, and sharp critique of marital and sexual morality, the play remains a classic of the Restoration period.
Plot Summary
The play revolves around three main characters:
Horner – A rakish libertine who spreads a false rumor of his impotence to seduce married women without suspicion.
Pinchwife – A jealous husband who marries a naive country girl to ensure her fidelity.
Margery Pinchwife – The innocent "country wife" whose curiosity and desire for freedom lead her into Horner’s schemes.
Horner’s deception allows him to exploit the hypocrisy of London’s high society, where wives pretend to be virtuous while engaging in affairs. Meanwhile, Pinchwife’s attempts to control Margery backfire as she becomes increasingly drawn to the excitement of city life and Horner’s charms.
Themes and Satire
Wycherley’s play exposes the moral double standards of the time:
Hypocrisy in Marriage: The play mocks husbands who obsess over their wives’ chastity while pursuing their own affairs.
Sexual Liberation vs. Repression: Margery’s awakening contrasts with the artificial constraints placed on women.
Deception and Appearances: Horner’s ruse reveals how society values reputation over truth.
Notable Scenes
The "China" Scene: A risqué metaphor for sexual conquest, where Horner’s conquests are compared to collecting porcelain.
Margery’s Disguise: Dressed as a man, she nearly escapes Pinchwife’s control, showcasing her growing independence.
The Final Confusion: The play ends with Horner’s scheme undisclosed, leaving the cuckolded husbands blissfully ignorant.
Critical Reception
While controversial for its explicit content, The Country Wife was celebrated for its sharp wit and social critique. Modern audiences appreciate its feminist undertones, as Margery’s defiance challenges patriarchal dominance. However, some critics argue that the play ultimately reinforces male dominance, as Horner remains unpunished.
Legacy
A masterpiece of Restoration comedy, The Country Wife influenced later playwrights like Congreve and Sheridan. Its themes of deception, jealousy, and societal hypocrisy remain relevant, ensuring its place in theatrical history.
Conclusion
Wycherley’s The Country Wife is a daring, humorous, and incisive critique of Restoration England’s moral contradictions. Through exaggerated characters and clever wordplay, the play exposes the folly of obsessive jealousy and the absurdity of social pretenses, making it a timeless satire of human folly.