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Cuckold's Revenge: The Skeleton in Restoration Society's Closet

The Horn Exalted or Roome for Cuckolds - George Rogers

This source takes a deep look into the origins of the term "cuckold" and explanations for his possession of horns. Through the investigation of the cuckold's beginnings his violent nature is revealed. The cuckold's relation to society is also discussed, including his relationship with the rake. Hinting at a change in the meaning of the term around or before the Restoration, this source provides strong evidence for our claim that the cuckold's violent nature was masked (albeit unsuccessfully) by society.

This source describes the activities of Horn-fair, and gives us insight into why society would attempt to cover up such a dangerous character as the cuckold. With its descriptions of frivolity and excess, this source makes it reasonable to believe that Restoration society simply wanted the party to go on.

Offering insight into the mentality of the public as they engaged in loose morality and cuckold-making, this piece is perhaps the most compelling evidence of a cover-up. It includes both the wife's and the rake's perspective and moral justification for their behavior. These justifications, though, seem trivial and show themselves to be mere attempts at pacifying one's guilty conscience.

"The Cuckold's Sermon" is not to be taken literally. A sarcastic piece, mocking the moral elevation of the cuckold by mentioning the belief that all cuckold's go to heaven, it is an example of the moral backlash against the rake and his corruption of society.

"The Fifteen Comforts" takes the reader through the life of a cuckold from his marriage until his ultimatum that in order to be happy one must not take a wife. Near the end the piece hints at violence between the cuckold and his spouse, yet another example of the destruction caused by the rake's libertinism.

Read my entire paper in Word Document form - Mess With the Bull - Ryan Gritter