Attack on marriage is one of William Wycherley 's main focuses in the comedy 'The Country Wife It can be argued Wycherley wants to show us that the attitudes towards marriage was wrong, in restoration England is was considered essential to be married, however, Wycherley may be exposing what marriage really is, a business transaction. Wycherley does offer some points which would lead us to believe that women and men do want to get married for love.
Wycherley attacks marriage through most of the women characters, for example, when talking of Alithea’s engagement to Sparkish’s she says “I must marry him; my reputation would suffer” (act two, SC 1 lines 216) it would seem that Alithia only sees marriage as a status in order to keep her reputation or a business transaction, rather than for love. The use of “I must” suggests that from society she is pressured into marriage and it may be something that she does not want to do but feels she has a responsibility. Sparkish’s and Alithea’s relationship shows us that, instead of being …show more content…
The dance of cuckolds brings infidelity between the partners, rather than a resolution. Sir Jasper and Lady Fidget’s relationship is odd, he is more concerned about business than about love and taking care of his marriage, and he tries to dump her on Horner so she does not become any concern of Sir Jasper’s. “Master Horner, will you never keep civil company? Methinks ‘tis time now, since you are only fit for them” here we can see a clear example of Sir Jasper leaving his wife in the hands of Horner and she is now no concern of Sir Jaspers, therefore, this could tell us that this marriage has no value and Wycherley is trying to attack this
Wycherley attacks marriage through most of the women characters, for example, when talking of Alithea’s engagement to Sparkish’s she says “I must marry him; my reputation would suffer” (act two, SC 1 lines 216) it would seem that Alithia only sees marriage as a status in order to keep her reputation or a business transaction, rather than for love. The use of “I must” suggests that from society she is pressured into marriage and it may be something that she does not want to do but feels she has a responsibility. Sparkish’s and Alithea’s relationship shows us that, instead of being …show more content…
The dance of cuckolds brings infidelity between the partners, rather than a resolution. Sir Jasper and Lady Fidget’s relationship is odd, he is more concerned about business than about love and taking care of his marriage, and he tries to dump her on Horner so she does not become any concern of Sir Jasper’s. “Master Horner, will you never keep civil company? Methinks ‘tis time now, since you are only fit for them” here we can see a clear example of Sir Jasper leaving his wife in the hands of Horner and she is now no concern of Sir Jaspers, therefore, this could tell us that this marriage has no value and Wycherley is trying to attack this