Archer and Aimwell, two recently impoverished rakes, decide to pose as a wealthy gentleman and his manservant in order to find wealthy wives and restore their fortunes. They arrive in the country town of Litchfield with this intention in mind. Posing as his older brother, "Lord" Aimwell, Aimwell is drawn to a beautiful local heiress, Dorinda. While the ever-pragmatic and lustful Archer finds himself attracted to her sister-in-law, Mrs Sullen, who is trapped in an unhappy marriage to a drunken, country blockhead. Despite beginning their journey as cynical fortune hunters, a series of wild schemes, revealing amorous declarations, and a dramatic robbery attempt, turn Archer and Aimwell’s questionable intentions into a celebration of the joy of marriage... and also the liberation of divorce!
The Beaux' Stratagem guide sections
