Monday, November 26, 2007

A "Bellyful of Sights"

While at the New Exchange in III.ii, Mrs. Pinchwife exclaims that she "han't half [her] bellyful of sights yet" when her husband suggests they leave. This phrase neatly combines references to the "sights" of early London tourism and also Mrs. Pinchwife's viewings of London men (bellyful hints at pregnancy, therefore it also hints at adultery and Mrs. Pinchwife's attraction towards the London gallants). To Mrs. Pinchwife, London "sights" can be places (the New Exchange), signs (the horned-animal signs for taverns), books (the playbooks at the New Exchange), plays, people (actors, gallants), and behavior (that of the ladies). Many of these "sights" become more than simple gazing-objects for the naive "country wench," for they end up drawing her into London's social world, much to her husband's dismay. What is the connection between "sights" and "sight" in the play? Why is "sight-seeing" linked to adultery, female agency, and the fear of cuckoldry?

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