The Beaux Strategem

Critical Summary of Garland Jack Gravitt?s ?A Primer of Pleasure: Neo-Epicureanism in Farquhar?s The Beaux Strategem? Gravitt?s thesis in his essay titled ?A Primer of Pleasure: Neo-Epicureanism in Farquhar?s The Beaux Strategem,? is that Farquhar?s central concern of the play is the neo-Epicurean ethic. While he acknowledges various other themes like divorce, money and nature, he feels that the dominant theme consists of a combination of the original principles of …

…not to mention his humane action in leaving his home out of concern for his sister?s welfare. Lady Bountiful even exceeds him because, ?this lady will perform services for anybody,? she is a true philanthropist (45). The essay closes with the statement that while neo-Epicureanism was popular during the Restoration, Farquhar?s Epicureanism more nearly approximates that of Epicurus than most Restoration playwrights. Therefore, Farquhar presents a perfect basis for pleasure in the Beaux Strategem.