The Constant Couple; Or A Trip to the Jubilee: A Comedy in Five Acts

The play opens with Sir Harry returning from his travels to woo Angelica who doubts his intentions due to his notorious reputation with women. Alongside this primary plot there are several subplots involving other couples and characters such as the jealous Colonel Standard and the flirtatious Lady Lurewell whose interactions further complicate the web of romantic pursuits. Farquhar uses these entanglements to satirize the affectations of society and the sometimes contradictory standards applied to men and women in matters of love and fidelity. The Constant Couple was a major success in its time partly due to the charisma of Sir Harry Wildair whose character became so popular that Farquhar wrote a sequel titled Sir Harry Wildair. Through this play Farquhar critiques the double standards and excesses of the Restoration society while celebrating the resilience and intelligence of women like Angelica who seek genuine love rather than social pretense. With its humor dynamic characters and insight into human relationships The Constant Couple remains a notable work in Farquhar's repertoire and an enduring example of Restoration comedy.