Throughout this play Wycherley continuously observes the hypocritical behaviour of the Upper Class society and through the use of satire and ridicule exposes the marital infidelities, intentions and pretensions the various stereotypes endeavour to conceal. However, it is not through actions but through Wycherley's use of implicit language that these are revealed. This extract involving Horner, Sir Jasper and Lady Fidget, the Quack and Squeamish, is an ideal example of this as it includes enough farce and implicit suggestions to divulge the comic yet sardonic reality.

Sir Jasper Fidget is the foolish husband whose priorities lie with his work rather than with his wife. Wycherley criticises the shallow nature of marriage within society during this period and the naivety of Sir Jasper by revealing his imprudence and stupidity in a satirical manner. It is through the use of double entendres that Wycherley ridicules Sir Jasper's folly. For Horner...