Introduction 01 The HistoricaI Context of Restoration Comedies and the RakeHero 02 Literature Review 03 Rake—Hero and Sovereignty 04 The Argument and Structure of the Dissertation Chapter One The Rake-Hero and Libertinism: The Political Predicament of Royal Sovereignty 11 Rake-Hero and Patriarchalism:Illegitimacy of Royal Sovereignty 12 Rake-Hero and Fashion:Theatricality of Royal Sovereignty 13 Rake Hero and Misogyny:Ineffectiveness of Royal Sovereignty Chapter Two The Generic Tension between the RakeHere and Comedy: The Legal Embarrassment ofAbsolute Sovereignty 21 Rake—Hero in Generic Disguise:Threat of Absolute Monarchy 22 Rake—Hero Spoiling the Comic:DeinslituliOnaIizing the Institution of PoliticaI Absolutism 23 Rakishness Resulted from Monopoly Generic Discourse:Reprimand of PoliticaI Absolutism Chapter Three The Rake-Hero Rearmed:The Endorsement of Contracted Sovereignty 31 Gentry Rival of Rake—Heroes:New Attributes of Governorship 32 Rake—Hero Contracted:Legal Settlement of Sovereignty 33 A New Rake-Hero:Confidence in PoliticaI Reforms Conclusion Bibliography