Aphra Behn’s The Rover

 Aphra Behn’s The Rover

This blog is part of pepar 101 : Literature of Elizabethan and Restoration Period 

1). Angellica considers the financial negotiations that one makes before marrying a prospective bride the same as prostitution. Do you agree ? 

Angellica's perspective aligns with a critique of marriage that some people hold: that the financial negotiations or considerations that often precede marriage can reduce a deeply personal relationship to an economic transaction, similar to prostitution. In this view, the idea of treating a marriage proposal as a contract, where wealth, dowries, or financial stability play significant roles, can seem to commodify affection, making it conditional on material gain rather than genuine love or connection.

However, not everyone would agree with this comparison. Some might argue that financial considerations in marriage can be practical, addressing issues like future stability, shared responsibilities, and the well-being of future children. In many cultures and contexts, financial negotiations are seen as a way to ensure security, not as a direct equivalent to prostitution, where the transaction is seen as purely economic and devoid of personal or emotional commitment.

Whether one agrees with Angellica's view may depend on one's cultural, moral, or personal beliefs about marriage, love, and the role of financial stability in long-term relationships.

2) “All women together ought to let flowers fall upon the tomb of Aphra Behn, for it was she who earned them the right to speak their minds.” Virginia Woolf said so in ‘A Room of One’s Own’. Do you agree with this statement? Justify your answer with reference to your reading of the play ‘The Rover’.

Virginia Woolf’s statement highlights the groundbreaking contribution of Aphra Behn to literature and the opportunities for women to express themselves. Behn, often considered one of the first English women to make a living through writing, set a precedent for future female writers by breaking into a male-dominated literary world. In her play The Rover, Behn not only entertains but also provides a critique of societal norms, especially those related to gender roles, autonomy, and power dynamics in relationships. Agreeing or disagreeing with Woolf's statement requires examining how The Rover addresses these issues.

Agreeing with Woolf’s Statement

In The Rover, Behn challenges the traditional stereotypes of women in her era. The play’s heroines, like Hellena and Florinda, demonstrate wit, intelligence, and a desire for autonomy. They manipulate social expectations to pursue their own goals, defying norms around female passivity. Hellena, for instance, actively seeks love and marriage on her own terms, resisting her brother's authority. This kind of assertiveness in female characters was unusual for Behn’s time, reflecting her boldness as a writer to allow women agency in a society that often denied them that.

Furthermore, Behn's portrayal of Angellica Bianca, a courtesan, complicates the traditional morality of her time. Angellica, despite her profession, is shown as a woman with emotions, desires, and a certain dignity. This humanization of a character who would usually be scorned reveals Behn’s challenge to societal judgments about women’s sexuality and autonomy.

By writing such complex and independent female characters, Behn gave voice to the struggles and aspirations of women in a way that had rarely been done before, earning future women writers the right to "speak their minds" through literature.

The Challenges in Woolf’s Assertion

While Behn certainly opened doors, it's debatable whether she alone "earned" women the right to speak their minds. The Rover can still be seen as reflecting the limitations of its time—often dealing with women’s issues in a framework constrained by societal norms and expectations. The play’s happy endings often rely on marriage and the restoration of social order, which some might argue reinforces traditional roles even as it questions them. Behn was still operating within the boundaries of Restoration comedy, which could limit how radically she could challenge patriarchal structures.

Conclusion

Overall, agreeing with Woolf’s statement makes sense in acknowledging the importance of Aphra Behn’s contributions. In The Rover, Behn was not only writing entertaining plays but subtly questioning and critiquing the structures that restricted women. Her courage in entering the literary world paved the way for other women to follow, even if her work did not fully dismantle societal expectations of gender. Therefore, Behn's contribution can be seen as a vital step towards greater freedom for women writers, making Woolf’s praise well-deserved.

3) Which female character best represents the playwright, Aphra Behn? Consider the characteristics and beliefs of each female character, and make an argument that relates these distinctive attributes to what you know about Behn.

The female character in The Rover that best represents the playwright, Aphra Behn, is Hellena. Hellena’s intelligence, wit, rebellious spirit, and desire for autonomy closely mirror what we know of Behn’s own life and beliefs.

1. Hellena’s Wit and Intelligence

Hellena is quick-witted, sharp, and articulate, standing out among the female characters for her lively personality and sense of humor. She constantly challenges the men around her, engaging in clever banter and refusing to be silenced or ignored. Aphra Behn herself was known for her wit and intelligence, traits that enabled her to navigate the male-dominated literary world and court circles of Restoration England. Like Hellena, Behn was not afraid to express herself, using her sharp mind to gain recognition in a time when women's voices were often marginalized.

2. Rebellion Against Conventions

Hellena’s refusal to be confined by societal expectations strongly reflects Behn’s own rebellious nature. At the beginning of The Rover, Hellena is destined for a nunnery—a decision made for her by her family. Instead of accepting this fate, she rebels, pursuing her desire for love, freedom, and adventure. This defiance is similar to Behn’s challenge to traditional gender roles. Behn’s decision to become a professional writer, a rare path for a woman of her time, showcased her refusal to adhere to the societal norms that sought to limit women’s ambitions and autonomy.

3. Pursuit of Autonomy and Love on Her Own Terms

Hellena is a woman who pursues love on her own terms, choosing Willmore, the roguish "rover," not because of family pressure or financial gain, but because she genuinely desires him. This reflects a key aspect of Behn’s own worldview. Behn's writing often portrayed women seeking personal freedom and autonomy, reflecting her belief that women should have the power to choose their paths in life and love. In The Rover, Hellena’s pursuit of romance, independence, and the rejection of a life of enforced celibacy resonate with Behn’s advocacy for women’s autonomy and their right to desire.

4. A Subtle Critic of the Patriarchal Society

Hellena's actions subtly critique the patriarchal structures of her society, much like Behn’s plays critique gender norms. While Hellena operates within the framework of her time—ultimately achieving her goals within the bounds of marriage—she constantly questions male authority and takes control of her destiny. Behn, too, used the structure of Restoration comedy to deliver critiques of gender inequality and hypocrisy, making her own mark while remaining part of a male-dominated theatrical tradition.

Conclusion: Why Hellena Represents Behn Best

Hellena embodies a balance of rebellion and adaptability that mirrors Behn’s approach to life and literature. Both Hellena and Behn challenge societal norms while working within them, using humor, intelligence, and personal agency to navigate restrictive environments. Hellena's determination to live life on her own terms, her courage to speak up, and her engagement in a life of adventure are qualities that reflect the pioneering spirit of Aphra Behn, who forged a path for female writers in a restrictive society.

While other characters, such as Angellica Bianca, also showcase complex aspects of femininity and autonomy, Hellena’s particular blend of wit, rebelliousness, and independence makes her the character that most closely aligns with Aphra Behn's own distinctive voice and literary legacy.

Thank you .