Dramatic Techniques

Wycherley satirizes the hypocrisy of women, masculinity, and human folly. In the first instance, the fashionable Horner presents himself sexually impotent in order to find his way into the private company of married women, as he is sure that the fear of scandal is the only thing keeping them from adultery. In addition, we have the characters of Mr and Mrs Pinchwife, who are visiting London from the country. Mrs Pinchwife wants to enjoy all aspects of city life, including a clandestine affiar.