William Wycherley and Restoration drama

Wycherley

William Wycherley's The Country Wife has been varyingly described as a satirical or farcical comedy. Focusing on the hypocrisy of social conventions of sexuality and sexual identity, the play highlights the guile of women in fulfilling their secret desires while maintaining a respectable facade. It is in the light of this context that the characters of Alithea and Margery Pinchwife are contrasted. Alithea is depicted as a strong minded, highly principled woman while Margery is portrayed as a coquettish but ultra-innocent, inept character, who quickly learns how to be worldly wise. Though the two women represent virtually diametrically opposite positions, the play nevertheless ends up by eliciting sympathy for both their plights in an oppressive patriarchal society.

Initially, the character of Margery Pinchwife is introduced through the dialogue between Horner and her husband. Through this, the audience learns that Mr. Pinchwife, at least, perceives Margery, a country girl, to be more innocent and amenable than a London girl. Thus, Pinchwife believes that his wife will be less capable of betraying him, as she is a simple country girl: "A fool cannot contrive to make her husband a cuckold." (1.1. 392) Irrespective of his beliefs, Mr. Pinchwife clearly distrusts his wife, who is revealed to be a "pretty country wench." And, with good reason, as it later turns out. For, Margery is only too ready to fall into Horner's arms, thereby displaying a complete lack of commitment to her marriage vows.

In fact, Margery's very first entrance reveals that she has a lively eye for attractive men: "Indeed I was aweary of the play - but I liked hugheously the actors; they are the goodliest, proper'st men, sister." (2.1.20-21) In sharp contrast, is Alithea's response: "Oh, but you must not like the actors, sister!" (2.1.22) Thus, from the very start, the play establishes the difference between Margery and Alithea. Alithea, quite obviously, is a stickler for social norms and etiquette of behavior whereas Margery seems only interested in having a good time. This does not, however, imply that Margery is less deserving of sympathy. Indeed, her crying when her husband calls her a fool, in response to her concerned question over his angry appearance, elicits the audience's pity. At this point, Alithea's character is once again revealed as diametrically opposite to Margery's childlike innocence and vulnerability. This is evident in her spirited self-defense against her brother's criticisms.

Alithea is also obviously a highly principled young woman, as evidenced in her determination to live up to her word to Sparkish, in spite of her falling in love with Harcourt: "I have given him already my word, and will my hand too...." (4.1.39-40) Alithea's straightforward nature is especially emphasized in light of Margery's disguising herself in order to meet Horner, and worse, later lying that it was Alithea who was in love with Horner to hide her infidelity from Pinchwife. In fact, the intrinsic character of both women ultimately leads to their destiny. In a comedy of errors and deceit, Margery is ultimately forced to stay in her marriage to Pinchwife while Alithea escapes an ill-suited marriage to Sparkish.