The provoked wife

by John Vanbrugh

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Genres: Plays, Classics, Fiction, Comedy, Theatre, 17th Century, Drama

128 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1697

About the author

Sir John Vanbrugh was an English architect and dramatist, perhaps best known as the designer of Blenheim Palace. He wrote two argumentative and outspoken Restoration comedies, The Relapse (1696) and The Provoked Wife (1697), which have become enduring stage favourites but originally occasioned much controversy.

Vanbrugh was in many senses a radical throughout his life. As a young man and a committed Whig, he was part of the scheme to overthrow James II, put William III on the throne and protect English parliamentary democracy, dangerous undertakings which landed him in the dreaded Bastille of Paris as a political prisoner. In his career as a playwright, he offended many sections of Restoration and 18th-century society, not only by the sexual explicitness of his plays, but also by their messages in defence of women's rights in marriage. He was attacked on both counts, and was one of the prime targets of Jeremy Collier's Short View of the Immorality and Profaneness of the English Stage. In his architectural career, he created what came to be known as English Baroque. His architectural work was as bold and daring as his early political activism and marriage-themed plays, and jarred conservative opinions on the subject.

Reviews

[Jack Edwards · Rating 5 out of 5]

Witty and outrageous, with some fantastic one-liners which are still comical today - ridiculous and so of it's time but irresistibly charming

[Sal · Rating 5 out of 5]

2/4 Vanbrugh plays down! I enjoyed this a lot more than The Relapse, though both were good in their own rights. The dynamics between Lady Brute/Constant and Bellinda/Heartfree were extremely charming, especially the latter.

For the modern stage, I imagine the revised scenes of Sir John dressed as his wife instead of the clergyman would be easier understood than the initial version. Out of the Restoration background, Vanbrugh's original satirical intentions probably don't translate as well over time. I'd think a drunken man crossdressing is much funnier to witness, rather than the playwright snarkily mocking the Church. Overall very enjoyable though, this is definitely one I'd like to see a performance of.

[J · Rating 4 out of 5]

More marital madness in which wives cuckold husbands, husbands cheat on wives, and everyone acts offended when others do as they do.

[Laura · Rating 2 out of 5]

From BBC Radio 3 - Drama on 3:
'What cloying meat is love when matrimony's the sauce to it?' A gloriously outspoken 18th-century comedy of sex, marriage, debauchery and revenge. Restoration comedy at its finest.
Vanbrugh's Restoration comedy is a bawdy romp through the destruction of a marriage and the promise of true love. Julian Rhind-Tutt stars as confirmed bachelor Heartfree.

[Dr. Siobhán · Rating 3 out of 5]

Getting ready for Stratford and the RSC's performance 2.0 - this Restoration Comedy was odd yet funny. Lady Brute is caught in a love- and sexless marriage with drunkard Sir John Brute. She wants to spice up her non existent sex life and gets into trouble with her niece Belinda. I didn't particularly like the ending, but I believe this could be great on stage!

[C. Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

A significant play and entertaining enough. Also a useful edition, though the introduction is a bit tedious and perhaps reveals too much of the storyline for someone who hasn't read the script for the first time.

[Mole Mann · Rating 3 out of 5]

That's the surest way indeed to know, but not the safest. Madam, are you not for taking a turn in the Great Walk? It's almost dark, nobody will know us.
This one feels more toothy than The Relapse, possibly because it's not based off of another play but possibly because of its content. Most of the characters are morally grey if not black, especially Sir John (arguably the villain of the entire piece).

[Katherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very witty play with plenty to think about in a modern context.

[Daisy Hargreaves · Rating 3 out of 5]

shall I die a hero or live a rascal?

[iris and her library · Rating 4 out of 5]

this was very fun to read and probably very fun to play and I appreciated how sympathetic Vanbrugh was toward much of the female experience at the time…

[Surreysmum · Rating 2 out of 5]

[Notes made in 1983:]. Read for exams. Sir John Brute. Language considerably simpler than with Congreve.