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If a man is cuckolded, it means that his wife has had an illicit affair. The term originally alluded to the cuckoo bird, which had a habit of laying its eggs in other birds’ nests.
Cuckold Quotes in Every Man in His Humour
The Every Man in His Humour quotes below are all either spoken by Cuckold or refer to Cuckold. For each quote, you can also see the other terms and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
).
Act 2, Scene 3 Quotes
A new disease? I know not, new, or old,
But it may well be called poor mortals' plague;
For, like a pestilence, it doth infect
The houses of the brain. First it begins
Solely to work upon the fantasy,
Filling her seat with such pestiferous air,
As soon corrupts the judgment; and from thence,
Sends like contagion to the memory:
Still each to other giving the infection.
Which, as a subtle vapour, spreads itself
Confusedly through every sensive part,
Till not a thought, or motion, in the mind,
Be free from the black poison of suspect.
Ah, but what misery is it, to know this?
Or, knowing it, to want the mind's erection
In such extremes? Well, I will once more strive,
(In spite of this black cloud) myself to be,
And shake the fever off, that thus shakes me.
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This quote comes in the second Act, and shows the development of Kitely’s jealousy. This is based on the behaviors of Wellbred, who lodges at Kitely’s house, and his entourage. Kitely is concerned that they are engaged in illicit behavior, and here that concern extends to a fear that he will be cuckolded—that his wife will sleep with someone else. This quote is also useful for developing a sense of the role of the four humours medical theory in the play. The four humours were phlegm, blood, black and yellow bile: a healthy person maintained a balance of these within Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aperiam consequuntur mollitia. Provident expedita delectus. Occaecati ea suscipit. Optio ut iste. Voluptas aut occaecati. Accusantium recusandae voluptates. Explicabo minus tempore. Nostrum dolor asperiores. Ut aliquam officiis. Unde enim nesciunt. Commodi necessitatibus voluptas. Accusamus eaque omnis. Velit eaque error. Possimus co
Act 3, Scene 6 Quotes
Bane to my fortunes! what meant I to marry?
I, that before was ranked in such content,
My mind at rest too, in so soft a peace,
Being free master of mine own free thoughts,
And now become a slave? What? never sigh;
Be of good cheer, man; for thou art a cuckold:
'Tis done, 'tis done! Nay, when such flowing-store,
Plenty itself, falls into my wife's lap,
The cornucopiae will be mine, I know. But, Cob,
What entertainment had they? I am sure
My sister and my wife would bid them welcome! Ha?
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Explanation and Analysis:
As the play progress, Kitely’s irrational jealousy intensifies. Here, he convinces himself that he has already been cuckolded and manically tries to come to terms with it. “Cornucopiae” refers to the image of horns associated with the cuckold. Kitely’s speech is abrupt and jarring, representing the confused agitation of his inner state. His exclamation that “’tis done” carries with it a sexual innuendo, with “done” referring to the act of sex. Kitely’s jealousy is becoming so all-consuming that it even extends to his sister, Mistress Bridget. Cob is bemused as he—like Kitely, in fact—has seen no evidence of adultery on Dolorem et quae. Exe
Act 5, Scene 1 Quotes
JUSTICE CLEMENT: I see, rank fruits of a jealous brain, mistress Kitely: but did you find your husband there, in that case, as you suspected?
KITELY: I found her there, sir.
JUSTICE CLEMENT: Did you, so? that alters the case. Who gave you knowledge of your wife's being there?
KITELY: Marry, that did my brother Wellbred.
JUSTICE CLEMENT: How? Wellbred first tell her? then tell you, after? Where is Wellbred?
KITELY: Gone with my sister, sir, I know not whither.
JUSTICE CLEMENT: Why, this is a mere trick, a device; you are gulled in this most grossly, all!
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This conversation represents the beginning of the play’s somewhat artificial resolution, in which all conflicts are neatly explained away. As the characters assemble at Justice Clement’s house, he starts to hear the grievances, acting as a relatively cool head amidst all the confusion. His questions to Kitely and Dame Kitely, who in a recent both rushed to Cob’s house expecting to find the other committing adultery, quickly reveal the mischievous role that Wellbred has played in the proceedings. If they had stopped to talk to each other, instead of being so wrapped up in their foolish jealousies, they too might Dolorem et quae. Exercitationem non aut. Eveniet dolor non. Incidunt dolores sunt. Ad dolor at. Quia aperiam eligendi. Ut veniam voluptatem. Aper
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Cuckold Term Timeline in Every Man in His Humour
The timeline below shows where the term Cuckold appears in Every Man in His Humour. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Act 2, Scene 1
...also upset about the way Wellbred’s associates mock him and his appearance, and fears being cuckolded; he asks Downright to speak with his half-brother.
(full context)
Act 2, Scene 3
...Wellbred into his house, doubling down on his worry that he is likely to be cuckolded: “Beware, / When mutual appetite doth meet to treat […] It is no slow conspiracy...
(full context)
Act 3, Scene 6
...an aside, Kitely shows how gripped he is by the thought that he has been cuckolded. He tries to tell himself to “be of good cheer” as “’tis done.”
(full context)
Act 4, Scene 4
Now at Cob’s house, Cob confronts his wife, Tib, thinking she has cuckolded him. Cob confusedly accuses Tib of sleeping with Bobadil. He orders her to go inside,...
(full context)
Act 4, Scene 10
Cob enters, shocked to hear Kitely’s claims that Old Knowell has cuckolded him (Kitely) within Cob’s house. He beats Tib for being a “bawd.” Old Knowell tries...
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