Witwoud Character Analysis

Petulant’s best friend, Lady Wishfort’s nephew, Sir Wilfull’s half brother, Millamant and Arabella Fainall’s cousin, Witwoud is a “fop,” or fool who cares too much about being fashionable. He is often Petulant’s mouthpiece, supplying him with vocabulary and interpreting the nonsense he spouts. Witwoud used to live in the countryside with his half-brother but has since moved to London, working first as a clerk. He doesn’t seem to have an occupation during the play and spends his time mostly hanging out with Petulant at the chocolate house and attending Lady Wishfort’s cabal meetings. Though hardly a wit like Mirabell, Witwoud is not as foolish as Petulant. He knows what people are up to, particularly Fainall, and occasionally reveals his knowledge about Fainall and Marwood’s plots to those around him. He has a troubled relationship with his country-bumpkin half-brother, who he at first refuses to recognize. But they later become friends and he joins Sir Wilfull’s plan to travel around the continent, along with Petulant.