Performing Libertinism in Charles II’s Court examines the performative nature of Restoration libertinism through reports of libertine activities and texts of libertine plays within the context of the fraternization between George Villiers, Duke of Buckingham, John Wilmot, Earl of Rochester, Sir Charles Sedley, Sir George Etherege, and William Wycherley. Webster argues that libertines, both real and imagined, performed traditionally secretive acts, including excessive drinking, sex, sedition, and sacrilege, in the public sphere. This eruption of the private into the public challenged a Stuart ideology that distinguished between the nation’s public life and the king’s and his subjects’ private consciences.
Table of Content
Performing Libertinism: An Introduction Producing Libertine Politics: The Rehearsal Staging Libertine Conduct: Love in a Wood, The Gentleman Dancing-Master, and The Country Wife Scripting Libertine Tricksters: The Man of Mode and The Plain Dealer Enacting Libertine Isolation: Antony and Cleopatra and The Tragedy of Valentinian Censuring Libertine Sexuality: Sodom Conclusion
About the author
JEREMY W. WEBSTER is Assistant Professor of English at Ohio University, USA.
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