Love and marriage

Definition

Love and marriage are intertwined concepts that explore the emotional and social contracts between individuals, often focusing on romantic relationships, commitment, and societal expectations. In the context of literature, particularly during the Restoration period, these themes reflect the shifting attitudes toward romantic love, duty, and social status, revealing the complexities of human relationships in a rapidly changing society.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Restoration comedies often satirized traditional views of love and marriage, emphasizing the tension between romantic desire and social obligation.
2. Marriage was frequently depicted as a strategic alliance rather than a true romantic union, highlighting the importance of wealth and status.
3. Many plays from this era feature witty dialogue and playful banter about love, showcasing the characters' struggles between personal happiness and societal expectations.
4. Infidelity and deception were common plot devices in Restoration comedies, reflecting the complexities and challenges inherent in romantic relationships.
5. The portrayal of women in these comedies evolved, with female characters often asserting their desires and challenging traditional gender roles within marriage.

Review Questions

• How did Restoration comedies portray the relationship between love and marriage, particularly in terms of societal expectations?
  • Restoration comedies often highlighted the disparity between romantic love and societal expectations surrounding marriage. Characters frequently navigated the tension between personal desires and the obligations imposed by social norms. This dynamic created humorous situations where love was viewed as secondary to wealth, status, or familial duty, ultimately critiquing the conventional ideals of matrimony prevalent in that era.
• In what ways did the depiction of infidelity contribute to the themes of love and marriage in Restoration comedy?
  • Infidelity served as a crucial element in Restoration comedies, driving plotlines that emphasized the complexities of love and commitment. These plays often used betrayal to expose hypocrisy in societal attitudes toward marriage, revealing how characters navigated their romantic entanglements. By portraying infidelity as both humorous and scandalous, playwrights challenged audiences to reconsider the true nature of love amidst societal pressures.
• Evaluate how female characters in Restoration comedies reflected changing attitudes towards love and marriage during this period.
  • Female characters in Restoration comedies increasingly reflected evolving attitudes towards love and marriage by asserting their agency and challenging traditional gender roles. Many women were portrayed as witty, independent figures who sought fulfillment beyond mere marital arrangements. This shift not only critiqued the societal constraints placed on women but also illustrated a broader transformation in the understanding of love as a basis for marriage rather than just a social contract dictated by status or wealth.

Related terms

Courtship: The social interaction between individuals aimed at assessing suitability for a romantic relationship or marriage.

Social Status: The position or rank of an individual within a social hierarchy, which often influences marriage choices and expectations.

Infidelity: The act of being unfaithful in a committed relationship, often explored in Restoration comedies as a source of humor and conflict.