What are some themes and motifs in The Lucky Chance by Aphra Behn?

Two of the most important themes in the play The Lucky Chance: or, An Alderman's Bargain by Aphra Behn are infidelity and altered identity.

The theme of infidelity is greatly exemplified by Lady Fulbank (who is married to Sir Cautious). This main character has a tryst with Gayman while she hides who she really is. During the tryst, the two sleep together and Lady Fulbank gives Gayman a ring. The next day, Lady Fulbank, now...

Two of the most important themes in the play The Lucky Chance: or, An Alderman's Bargain by Aphra Behn are infidelity and altered identity.

The theme of infidelity is greatly exemplified by Lady Fulbank (who is married to Sir Cautious). This main character has a tryst with Gayman while she hides who she really is. During the tryst, the two sleep together and Lady Fulbank gives Gayman a ring. The next day, Lady Fulbank, now presenting herself as the woman she actually is, questions Gayman about why he was so quick in leaving the party the night before. Here, Gayman gives Lady Fulbank her own ring as a token of his love and goes into an elaborate story about how he was tempted by a lady “devil” who performed in the bedroom like a bag full of “wooden ladles.” Lady Fulbank is amazed at the blatant lie about her sexual prowess. It is at this point that Lady Fulbank’s husband comes in. Lady Fulbank, of course, has already shown infidelity to her husband, and knowing this makes him "cautious." Sir Cautious begins talking to Gayman. Gayman reveals his tryst with a “female devil” and the two argue about money. Gayman, of course, finally reveals himself in his true name of Wastall.

In conclusion, you can see that altered identity is yet another theme here. Both Lady Fulbank and Gayman/Wastall alter their identity . Lady Fulbank alters hers in order to have an adulterous tryst. Wastall becomes Gayman in order to hide his good name while making Sir Cautious a “cuckold.” I find it very interesting to consider infidelity in a completely different century as we are surrounded by it within our own.