William Wycherley - The Country Wife: "I weigh the man, not his title; 'tis not the king's stamp can make the metal better"

The life of William Wycherley unfolds against a backdrop of dramatic personal and professional events. Educated in France and initially drawn to law, he shifted focus to theatre, gaining fame with his daring play "Love in a Wood." His later works, particularly "The Country Wife" and "The Plain Dealer," solidified his reputation. A secret marriage to the wealthy Countess of Drogheda led to royal disfavor and imprisonment due to debts. Despite a brief pension from James II, financial struggles persisted until his death in 1716, marking a tumultuous yet impactful literary career.