The Rover by Aphra Behn

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This blog is in response to the thinking task assigned by Megha Ma'am.

Introduction :

"The Rover" is a Restoration comedy by Aphra Behn, first performed in 1677. It is set in Naples during Carnival time, and follows the romantic adventures of a group of English Cavaliers. The play is known for its wit, satire, and exploration of themes of gender, class, and sexuality.

One of the central characters in the play is Willmore, a rakish Cavalier who is constantly in pursuit of women. He falls in love with Helena, a young woman who is supposed to be about to enter a nunnery. However, Helena is also being pursued by Don Antonio, a Spanish nobleman.

Another important character is Angellica, a courtesan who is known for her beauty and intelligence. She is drawn to Willmore, but she is also suspicious of his intentions.

The Rover is a complex and nuanced play that deals with a variety of social and political issues. It is also a very funny and entertaining play, and it remains one of Behn's most popular works.

About Aphra Behn :

Aphra Behn (1640-1689) was an English playwright, poet, prose writer, and translator from the Restoration era. She is considered one of the first English women to earn her living by her writing, and she broke cultural barriers to serve as a literary role model for later generations of women authors.

Behn's work is known for its wit, intelligence, and social commentary. Her plays are often bawdy and satirical, and they explore themes of gender, class, and sexuality. Her novella "Oroonoko" is considered one of the earliest works of anti-slavery fiction in English literature.

Behn's legacy is complex and controversial. She was both praised and condemned for her outspokenness and her willingness to challenge conventional social norms. However, there is no doubt that she was a groundbreaking and influential writer who made significant contributions to English literature.

Questions:

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

Ans. :

I personally confused, because 

the question of whether financial arrangements before marriage are like prostitution is complicated and doesn't have a simple answer. It depends on various factors, including the type of negotiations, the reasons behind them, and the cultural context.

In some cultures, it's common for families to discuss dowries or bride prices before a marriage. They might do this to ensure the bride's financial security or compensate her family for her leaving.

In other cultures, discussing money before marriage is considered a no-no. Some people think it's wrong to put a price on love or treat someone like a commodity.

In India, the legal stance on financial negotiations before marriage is tricky. On one hand, the law forbids selling or buying people. On the other hand, the law recognizes some traditional practices like dowries.

There are arguments against comparing these financial discussions to prostitution:

- Prostitution involves selling sex, while financial talks before marriage are often about financial security.

- Prostitution can involve exploitation and coercion, but these discussions usually happen between willing adults.

- Prostitution is often illegal, but discussing finances before marriage usually isn't.

Still, there are similarities:

- In both cases, someone is offering something valuable (sex or companionship) for money.

- The person providing the service is often vulnerable in both cases.

- There's a risk of exploitation in both situations.

In the end, whether these financial discussions are like prostitution is a matter of personal opinion. There are good arguments on both sides.

In India, many communities practice dowry payments. Some see dowries as a way to ensure the bride's financial security or compensate her family. However, dowry payments have also been linked to problems like bride burning and female infanticide.

Some argue that paying dowries is a form of prostitution, as they believe the bride's family is essentially selling their daughter to the groom's family. This can put women in vulnerable positions, as they may be seen as less valuable without a substantial dowry.

Others argue that paying dowries isn't the same as prostitution. They see it as a way for the bride's family to provide financial support and consider it a cultural tradition to be respected.

The debate over whether paying dowries is similar to prostitution is complex, and there are strong arguments on both sides. It's important to understand different perspectives before forming your own opinion.

There's no consensus on this issue. Some people think financial negotiations before marriage are always wrong, while others believe they can be acceptable in certain situations. It's essential to consider all viewpoints before making a judgment.

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Question -2 :

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'.

Ans .

I agree with Virginia Woolf's statement that Aphra Behn "earned women the right to speak their minds." Aphra Behn was an extraordinary writer for her time, and her work often went against the usual social rules. She was one of the first English women to make a living from her writing, and her plays were known for being clever, smart, and for commenting on society.

In one of her plays, called "The Rover," Aphra Behn created strong female characters who weren't afraid to speak their minds. For example, there's Helena, a young woman who refuses to be forced into a marriage she doesn't want. She speaks her thoughts openly and honestly. Then there's Angellica, a courtesan who is smart and independent. She doesn't hesitate to challenge the men in her life.

Aphra Behn's work opened doors for future generations of women writers. She showed that women could be successful and respected writers. She also gave a voice to female characters who were complicated and had depth.

Let me give you some specific examples from "The Rover" that support my argument:

- In Act I, Helena tells Willmore that she'd rather become a nun than marry a man she doesn't love. She says, "I'd rather be a nun and live pure, than be a wife and live improperly."

- In Act II, Angellica tells Willmore that she's not interested in love, only in money. She says, "I'm not in love with you, and I don't want to be. I'm a courtesan, and my love comes with a price."

- In Act III, Helena tells Willmore that she's not afraid of him and won't be forced to do anything she doesn't want to do. She says, "I don't fear you, sir. I have a strong heart like yours, and a truthful tongue."

Aphra Behn's characters are not flawless. They make mistakes and have their own imperfections. However, they are all strong and independent women who are not afraid to express their thoughts. Behn's work played a significant role in challenging the traditional view of women as passive and subservient.

We can argue that Behn's work paved the way for future generations of women writers, challenged societal norms, and gave a voice to complex female characters. We can also use examples from "The Rover" to support our arguments, like discussing the characters Helena and Angellica and how they defy traditional gender roles or talking about the play's themes of gender, class, and sexuality.

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Question .3 :

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.

Ans.

I think the female character in "The Rover" who best represents the playwright, Aphra Behn, is "Helena". Helena is a young woman who is fiercely independent and outspoken. She is also intelligent, witty, and resourceful. These are all qualities that Behn herself possessed.

Behn was a groundbreaking writer who challenged the social and political norms of her time. She was one of the first English women to earn her living by her writing, and she broke cultural barriers to serve as a literary role model for later generations of women authors.

Like Behn, Helena is not afraid to speak her mind, even when it means challenging authority. For example, when her brother tries to force her to marry a man she does not love, she defies him and runs away. She also refuses to be intimidated by the powerful men in her life, such as Don Antonio.

Helena is also a strong and capable woman who is able to take care of herself. She is not dependent on men for financial support or protection. In fact, she is often the one who is helping others. For example, she helps Angellica to escape from her abusive lover.

In all of these ways, Helena embodies the qualities that Behn herself admired and valued: independence, intelligence, wit, and resourcefulness. Helena is a role model for women who want to live their lives on their own terms and to speak their minds freely.

Here is a specific example from the play that illustrates Helena's strength and independence:

HELENA: I am not a vessel to be disposed of at your pleasure. I am my own, and I will dispose of myself as I please.

This line shows that Helena is not afraid to stand up to her brother and assert her own independence. She knows that she is her own person, and she has the right to make her own choices.

Behn herself would have likely admired Helena's courage and determination. She was a woman who was not afraid to challenge the status quo and to fight for what she believed in. Helena is a fitting representation of the playwright who created her.

Conclusion: 

In nutshell, we can say that Aphra Behn's "The Rover" is a captivating play that not only entertains but also challenges societal norms of its time. Through vibrant characters like Helena, Behn showcases the strength, independence, and wit that she herself possessed. The play stands as a testament to Behn's groundbreaking contributions to literature and her role as an early feminist voice, making it a timeless and influential work that continues to resonate with audiences today.

Thank you so much for reading 😊🙏🏻

Happy Learning 😄