Lady Brute

E97132

Lady Brute is a central comic heroine in John Vanbrugh’s Restoration play "The Provoked Wife," known for her wit, marital dissatisfaction, and sharp social commentary.


Statements (43)
Predicate Object
instanceOf comic heroine
fictional character
theatrical character
appearsIn The Provoked Wife
appearsInForm stage play
appearsInGenre Restoration comedy
characterTrait intelligent
morally conflicted
sharp-tongued
socially perceptive
witty
countryOfOrigin Kingdom of England
createdBy John Vanbrugh
dramaticFunction focus of the play’s title conflict
source of much of the play’s wit
dramaticGenreRole comic but serious figure
expressesViewOn double standards for men and women
institution of marriage
firstPerformanceCentury 17th century
firstPerformanceEra Restoration period
hasDialogueStyle ironic commentary
rapid repartee
languageOfWork English
literaryPeriod Restoration literature
literarySignificance early representation of female discontent in marriage on the English stage
noted example of a complex Restoration comic heroine
maritalStatusInWork married
marriageType unhappy marriage
medium live theatre
narrativeFunction critic of marriage conventions
vehicle for social satire
relationship wife of Sir John Brute
roleInWork central heroine
protagonist
socialClass aristocracy
socialRole fashionable lady of quality
themeAssociation constraints on women
female agency
hypocrisy of high society
marital dissatisfaction
sexual politics
usedByAuthorFor critiquing patriarchal authority
exploring women’s limited choices

Referenced by (2)
Subject (surface form when different) Predicate
The Provoked Wife
featuresCharacter
Sir John Brute
spouse

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