Beasts and Baggage

1. At the beginning of this play, Horner makes several sneering references to affectation. When Lady Fidget remarks, “affectation makes not a woman more odious” to men “than virtue” Horner answers: “Because your virtue is your greatest affectation, madam” (1.1.7). Horner also exclaims “A pox on ‘em, and all that force nature, and would be still what she forbids ‘em! Affectation is her greatest monster” (1.1.10). Horner practices the ultimate affection, however, and is also passing himself off as a sort of nature’s “monster.” The women refer to him as “beast” when they speak of his supposedly castrated state. How does affectation continue to play out as a theme in The Country Wife? Does Horner as an embodiment of affectation act as an agent for revealing the affectation of others? If so, how?

2. Throughout the play, Pinchwife constantly refers to his wife as “baggage”: “Come, how was’t, baggage?” (4.2.49). She, on the other hand, constantly refers to him as “bud.” What effect does the use and repetition of these “pet names” have? How do they characterize Mr. and Mrs. Pinchwife, their motives, and their tactics for dealing with one another?