The Georgian era (1714-1837) was the golden age of English print satire. Gillray, Rowlandson and the Cruikshank family made themselves famous with their exuberant, brightly-coloured caricatures which lampooned everything from government to the clergy, from fashion to the French. Here are some of their satirical takes on marriage. They point out the problems so often ignored in the contemporary moral literature and novels which portrayed marriage as a companionate and dignified state; adultery, frustrated husbands, scolding wives and seething hatred are all exposed, making both amusing and uncomfortable viewing.

Husband: “Rabbit it, Wife, you’ll make me look like a fool.”
Wife: “Now you are Married you shall look like other people, I insist upon it, and leave off your rustic manners!”

Husband: “What makes you so Sulky this Morning my Dear?”
Wife: “Nothing.”
Husband: “What is the matter with you?”
Wife: “Nothing.”
Husband: “You was in a very good Humor last Night, pray what have I done to offend you?”
Wife:“You have done Nothing. That’s the reason.”

Wife: “You can’t deny the letter you false man – I shall find out all your Wicked Women – I shall, you abominable Seducer!”
Husband: “Indeed Lovey I know no more who sent the letter than the Man in the Moon.”

Husband: “It’s red! Not fit to eat! These are the blessed [?] effects of boiling Mutton in a cloth!!”

Wife: “Here have I been sitting up for you these four hours, without any thing to Comfort me – Mr Fillpot I will not suffer it.”
Husband: “Don’t be angry – you beauty! I have only been drinking your health with Squire Guzzle, ‘pon honour!”