The Country Wife by William Wycherley is celebrated for its sharp wit and satirical edge, epitomizing Restoration comedy. Critics laud its clever dialogue and incisive social commentary. However, some note its outdated gender politics and bawdy humor may not resonate with modern audiences. Overall, it remains a vital, though polarizing, theatrical work.

An ideal reader for The Country Wife by William Wycherley enjoys witty and risqué Restoration comedies. Fans of provocative humor and critiques of social mores akin to Oscar Wilde's The Importance of Being Earnest or Richard Sheridan's The School for Scandal will relish Wycherley's satirical take on marriage and hypocrisy.

The Country Wife by William Wycherley, written in 1675, is a Restoration comedy centered on Harry Horner, who feigns impotence to gain access to and seduce married women. Meanwhile, newlywed Jack Pinchwife tries to keep his naive wife, Margery, away from Horner but fails as she falls for him. Concurrently, Frank Harcourt pursues Pinchwife’s sister, Alithea, who is engaged to the foolish Mr. Sparkish. The play humorously explores themes of marriage, infidelity, and male competition.

Humorous / Spicy / Playful / Mysterious / Romantic

- The Country Wife premiered in 1675, and it was one of the most popular and controversial plays during the English Restoration period due to its frank depiction of sexual themes.
- The character Horner uses the tactic of feigned impotence to gain access to the women of society, reflecting the play's exploration of deceit and reputation in Restoration London.
- The play was banned from general public performance from 1753 to 1924 due to its risqué content, illustrating the shifting societal norms over time.

**Mr. Harry Horner**  
A well-known playboy in London who pretends to be impotent to gain access to married women, using his charm and wit to navigate the social circles of the city.

**Mr. Frank Harcourt**  
A friend of Horner's, known for his past womanizing, who becomes genuinely devoted to Alithea and pursues her seriously, using his talent for trickery.

**Mr. Dorilant**  
A companion to Horner and Harcourt, he enjoys the benefits of Horner's schemes but does not have a romantic subplot of his own.

**Mr. Jack Pinchwife**  
A middle-aged former rake who marries the young and naïve Margery, whom he jealously guards to prevent infidelity, resorting to extreme measures to control her.

**Mr. Sparkish**  
An acquaintance of the rakes who prides himself on his wit and intelligence, yet is oblivious to the true nature of his surroundings, especially his fiancée Alithea's feelings.

**Sir Jaspar Fidget**  
A nobleman who leaves his wife often to handle business and naively believes Horner's impotence claim, arranging situations that contribute to his own cuckolding.

**Mrs. Margery Pinchwife**  
A naive and innocent young woman from the country, married to Jack Pinchwife, who is curious about city life and easily manipulated by Horner.

**Alithea Pinchwife**  
Jack Pinchwife's sister, who is faithful and morally upright, engaged to the foolish Sparkish while being pursued seriously by Harcourt.

**Lady Fidget**  
Sir Jaspar's wife, who sleeps with Horner while maintaining her reputation, and is quick to forgive his insults upon discovering his true nature.

**Mrs. Dainty Fidget**  
Sir Jaspar's sister, likewise involved with Horner, who is conscious of maintaining her social reputation despite her activities.

**Mrs. Squeamish**  
A woman who, along with Mrs. Dainty Fidget, engages with Horner, driven by dissatisfaction with her social and marital circumstances.

**Old Lady Squeamish**  
Mrs. Squeamish's grandmother, invested in her granddaughter's reputation, yet easily deceived by Horner's ruse.

**A Quack**  
A charlatan physician who aids Horner by spreading the falsehood of his impotence, thus enabling his escapades.

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