Aphra Behn's " The Rover "

 Aphra Behn's "The Rover"

This blog task is assigned by  Megha Trivedi ma'am as part of thinking Activity.

Aphra Behn's play The Rover, first performed in 1677, is a Restoration comedy that explores themes of love, desire, and gender roles, set against the backdrop of Carnival time in Naples. The story follows a group of English cavaliers who have been exiled after the English Civil War, focusing especially on Willmore, the "rover" of the title, whose flirtatious and libertine nature drives much of the action.

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

In The Rover, Angellica’s view of marriage as akin to prostitution reflects the social realities of her time. During the Restoration era, marriage was often an economic arrangement, especially for women with limited options for independence. Women relied on marriage for financial security, making it less about romance and more about forming a social contract. In this context, marriage became a transaction where women were “exchanged” for stability, social status, or wealth, rather than an expression of personal affection.

Angellica, as a courtesan, sees this resemblance and critiques it. She argues that society’s idealized view of marriage masks its transactional nature, which, in her eyes, isn’t so different from her profession. Just as she exchanges affection for money, she observes that marriage often requires women to “sell” themselves for social or economic gain. Her perspective exposes the double standard of a society that judges her line of work but romanticizes marriage, even though both involve financial exchanges.

While Angellica’s argument highlights the transactional aspect of marriage in her society, I believe that marriage can still differ from prostitution, particularly when rooted in mutual love, respect, and partnership. Though financial security has historically been a factor, marriage can represent more than a mere exchange. Today, as women have more independence, marriage often reflects personal choice and emotional connection, transcending the economic necessity that defined Angellica’s era.

In short, Angellica’s perspective sheds light on marriage’s commercial aspects in her society, where financial and social pressures shaped relationships. While I agree that marriage could appear similar to a transaction in this historical context, I also believe that, ideally, it can represent a bond beyond financial and social exchanges.

Q.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’.

In The Rover, Behn portrays women as complex, self-determined characters who actively pursue their desires. The female characters, such as Hellena and Florinda, push against the restrictions imposed upon them by family and society. Hellena, for instance, defies expectations of becoming a nun, instead openly seeking love and adventure. Florinda, too, resists an arranged marriage, valuing her own romantic desires over familial duty. These characters exemplify a subversive stance on traditional gender roles, asserting the right of women to seek pleasure and independence a portrayal that was nearly unprecedented in Behn’s time.

Moreover, Behn’s work engages with the themes of female sexuality and agency in a way that critiques the male gaze and the commodification of women, as illustrated by the masquerade scenes in The Rover. The masquerade allows characters like Hellena and Angellica to manipulate their appearance, engage in romantic pursuits, and even critique men’s objectification of them, all while retaining their anonymity. Angellica, the courtesan, complicates ideas about virtue and autonomy by controlling her own body and wealth, yet she also suffers from the inherent limitations of a society that commodifies women. Through these depictions, Behn not only presents women as possessing a complex, independent inner life but also critiques the social structures that limit female freedom.

Behn’s choice to write The Rover as a commercially successful, comedic play also reflects her awareness of, and challenge to, the literary landscape of her time. By succeeding in a genre dominated by men, Behn proved that a woman could not only participate in but thrive within the professional literary world. This professional success and artistic impact justified Woolf's praise for Behn’s contribution to women’s right to “speak their minds.”

In conclusion, I agree with Woolf’s statement that Behn’s career opened the door for women in literature. The Rover demonstrates her courage to defy gender norms, her literary talent, and her belief in women’s right to express themselves, establishing her as a figure worthy of honor and remembrance for later female writers. Behn's legacy is one of literary boldness and social critique, paving the way for future generations to speak freely, and The Rover remains a testament to that pioneering spirit.

Q.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.

In The Rover, Aphra Behn creates female characters who embody various aspects of her own complex personality, experiences, and beliefs as a pioneering female playwright. Among these characters, Hellena most closely represents Behn herself. Hellena’s wit, independence, and disregard for societal constraints align with Behn’s own life and literary voice.

Independence and Rebellion:

 Hellena resists the restrictions imposed on her by her family and society, particularly her expected path to the convent. She desires freedom and agency in choosing her own life, just as Behn broke through the constraints on women by becoming one of the first professional female playwrights in England. Hellena’s rebellious spirit reflects Behn’s unconventional life, as she openly engaged with topics of love and sexuality that were taboo for women of her time.

 Wit and Intelligence: 

Hellena is clever, sharp-tongued, and playful, qualities that Behn also embodied. She uses her wit to navigate complex social situations, often taking on disguises and challenging male characters. Similarly, Behn’s writing style is marked by satire, wit, and humor, which she used to critique and navigate the gender biases of her society. Hellena’s verbal dexterity and quick thinking mirror Behn’s skill as a writer who could challenge norms through comedy and satire.

 

Desire for Romantic and Sexual Freedom:

 Behn was known for her open discussions of sexuality and desire, which was groundbreaking for a female writer. Hellena, too, expresses her desire for love and refuses to be confined by the passive, submissive role often expected of women. Her bold pursuit of Willmore, despite the risks, aligns with Behn’s progressive stance on women’s sexual freedom. Hellena’s pursuit of pleasure and adventure symbolizes Behn’s belief that women should have the same freedoms as men.

In sum, Hellena’s independence, wit, and challenge to societal norms make her a fitting representative of Aphra Behn in The Rover. Through Hellena, Behn explores her own beliefs about women’s autonomy and intelligence, creating a character who defies societal constraints and exemplifies Behn’s advocacy for gender equality and freedom.