VIII. The Influence of Milton's Divorce Tracts on Farquhar's Beaux' Stratagem

That the discussion of the problem of divorce in The Beaux' Stratagem, is unique in Restoration Drama, both in its tone and in the arguments employed, has long been recognized by students of Farquhar. Strauss finds in the play a growing thoughtfulness regarding manners and institutions, and a perceptible alteration of moral tone. He is inclined to question, however, whether we are to conclude from the single instance presented, that Farquhar actually meant to countenance divorce by mutual consent. William Archer, in a considerable discussion of the divorce phenomenon, is inclined to treat the matter more seriously. He finds in the comedy Farquhar's firm belief that a breach of the marriage vow is by no means the only immorality possible in the marital relationship. “The scenes are,” he says, “in fact, a plea for what Farquhar regarded, rightly or wrongly, as a more rational law of divorce … He admitted a moral standard, and subjected social conventions, not to mere cynical persiflage, but to the criticism of reason.”To Professor Ward the divorce motive is equally puzzling. “Some of the incidents are dubious, including one at the close—a separation by mutual consent, which throws a glaring light on the view taken by the author and his age on the sanctity of the marriage tie.”