THE CONCEPT OF "LOVE" AND "FRIENDSHIP" IN THE 18th CENTURY ENGLAND

Abstract

This article discusses the problem of "love" and "friendship" perception by the English society of the XVIIIth century. Using literature and personal sources the author analyzes the new morality of that time, which developed as a result of the changes in attitude to property, birth and wealth; relations between husband and wife, friends and lovers. Besides, the problem of divorce among the nobility is touched upon. Having analyzed the sources the author shows that the attitude to such concepts as "love", "friendship", "adultery" differed from the modern perception. The way people interpreted these concepts is also described.