Study Questions for William Wycherley, The Country Wife

1. Is it fair to say that The Country Wife is an examination of self-deception and hypocrisy, and of their consequences? Whether you answer yes or no, is the play about other things as well? If so, what other things? And how do you know?

2. It is often said that one of Wycherley’s objectives in the play was to provide an examination of foolish and mercenary attitudes toward love. To what extent does this strike you as accurate? Which seems to be worse when it comes to “love” – being “foolish” or being “mercenary”?

3. Suppose we think of the play as an examination of love and marriage. What seem to be Wycherley’s attitudes and beliefs on the subject? Are there “gradations” in his presentation, or is everything laid out in largely black-and-white fashion? In other words, how subtle is Wycherley’s analysis?

4. Does this play present women in an unfavorable light? Explain, illustrating your position – yea or nay – with evidence from the play.

5. This play is a comedy. That being so, to what extent can we take it seriously as an attempt to examine sexual politics during the period in which it was composed? And is calling the play a "comedy" the same as saying that it is "funny"?

6. Is it appropriate that the actress who plays Lady Fidget should have the last word – that is, that she should be the one to speak the Epilogue?

7. In terms of the overall plot of the play and the themes that Wycherley is examining in it, what is the importance of each of the following scenes:

Act 3, scene 2 (the breeches part, p. 201);
Act 4, scene 1 ("Ned" Harcourt, p. 208);
Act 4, scene 3 (the "china" scene, beginning on p. 214);
Act 5, scene 4 (the resolution of the play).

8. The Country Wife was first performed in 1675. Does it have any value for modern audiences? Explain, either way.