Monogamy. About sex and love in Nick Payne's ‘Wanderlust’ and Penelope Skinner's ‘The Village Bike’

Abstract

Monogamy has traditionally been regarded as the dominant relationship model in Western societies and behaviors that emerge as an alternative can often be perceived as divergent and threatening. In contemporary British drama, monogamy and marriage have been represented as fragile institu tions, vulnerable to the pressures of everyday life. This article explores the interplay of these themes in Nick Payne's "Wanderlust" (2010), and Penel ope Skinner's "The Village Bike" (2011) and fo cuses on the fragility of human connections shaped by sex and love. Through a comparative analysis, this article examines how these play wrights reflect the complexities of intimate rela tionships, revealing monogamy as a delicate and contested ideal. The study also addresses the mor alization of desire and the social repercussions of deviating from conventional norms, particularly for women. Furthermore, it delves into how the desire for an emotional connection can turn into sex, exposing the intricate reality of modern rela tionships, where vulnerability, temptation, and in fidelity challenge established boundaries.