Thinking activity:The Rover by Aphra behn

Hello readers, 

welcome to my blog!In this blog we’ll explore some intriguing ideas from Aphra Behn’s The Rover, a play that boldly examines women’s roles in a male-dominated society. Behn, one of the first English women to write professionally, uses her characters to question the institution of marriage, express the importance of women’s voices, and reflect her own rebellious spirit.

1. Angellica’s View on Marriage and Prostitution

In The Rover, Angellica Bianca, a renowned courtesan, makes a striking statement: the financial negotiations that take place before marriage are akin to prostitution. She argues that, in both cases, women are valued for their physical appearance and virtue, exchanged for wealth or security rather than love. Through Angellica, Aphra Behn critiques a society where women are often commodified, their worth reduced to financial transactions. This view was revolutionary in the 17th century when The Rover was written, challenging the idea that marriage was the only “honorable” path for a woman.

Angellica’s perspective is shaped by her own experiences. As a courtesan, she is accustomed to transactions, yet she dreams of love and respect—a life beyond financial dependency. When she falls in love with the cavalier Willmore, she realizes that even in relationships that seem to promise affection, women’s choices remain limited. Willmore, like many men of the time, sees women as conquests rather than equals. His betrayal highlights how women in both marriage and prostitution are often vulnerable to manipulation.

Behn uses Angellica’s situation to emphasize the hypocrisy in society’s view of marriage. While marriage is celebrated as a social institution, it shares a troubling similarity with prostitution in the transactional aspect. In arranged marriages, women frequently had no say in choosing their husbands; they were often “sold” by their families for financial alliances. Behn’s depiction of Angellica draws attention to the idea that marriage, without love, becomes a form of entrapment where women lose their autonomy.

Angellica’s stance on marriage forces us to confront whether societal values have truly changed. Even in modern times, financial stability and social standing influence marriage, leading us to question whether true love or personal choice has greater priority. Behn’s bold examination of these themes continues to resonate, highlighting the complex dynamics of relationships and power.

2. Virginia Woolf’s Praise for Aphra Behn

Virginia Woolf’s famous line, “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,” celebrates Behn as a pioneer of female empowerment. Woolf’s words in A Room of One’s Own recognize Behn’s courage to live independently by her writing—a remarkable achievement for a woman in the 17th century. Through The Rover, Behn gave her characters agency and voices that defied societal restrictions, particularly through her complex female characters.

In The Rover, Behn provides her female characters with thoughts and ambitions that challenge conventional roles. Characters like Hellena and Angellica speak boldly, expressing desires, fears, and frustrations that were rarely acknowledged in literature at the time. Behn’s characters challenge male authority and insist on their right to choose their own destinies. Through these portrayals, Behn subtly critiques the social norms of her time, envisioning a world where women could have the freedom to express themselves.

Woolf’s admiration for Behn stems from her recognition that Behn’s work broke boundaries. By writing openly and unapologetically, Behn made it possible for later women writers to explore female perspectives in literature. Her works continue to inspire readers to question and redefine the limitations placed upon women, encouraging future generations to speak their minds. Woolf’s praise honors Behn’s legacy, acknowledging her role in creating a literary space where women’s voices could be heard.

3. Which Character Best Reflects Aphra Behn?

Among the female characters in The Rover, Hellena is often seen as the one who most closely reflects Aphra Behn herself. Hellena is witty, rebellious, and determined to make her own choices, defying the societal expectations of marriage and submission. Her fiery spirit and quick wit make her stand out as a woman who refuses to be defined by the limitations placed upon her. Just like Behn, Hellena challenges conventions and fights for her right to pursue adventure and love on her own terms.

Hellena’s determination to resist an arranged marriage aligns with Behn’s own rebellious nature. In The Rover, Hellena’s character rejects the life planned for her as a nun, instead choosing to pursue love with Willmore. She values her independence and is unwilling to compromise her freedom, even when it would be easier to accept societal expectations. This fearless spirit mirrors Behn’s own life; she defied norms by becoming a professional writer in a time when women’s voices were rarely valued in literature.

Through Hellena, Behn explores ideas of agency and autonomy. Hellena’s insistence on pursuing her own happiness reflects Behn’s belief that women should have control over their own lives. By giving Hellena a voice that challenges the rules set by society, Behn argues for the importance of personal freedom—a theme that continues to inspire readers today. Hellena’s character is a powerful representation of Behn’s desire to break free from restrictive roles and establish herself as an independent, self-sufficient woman in a male-dominated world.

Conclusion

In conclusion, The Rover explores themes of love, freedom, and independence, challenging readers to reflect on societal norms and women’s autonomy. Through Angellica’s critique of marriage, Woolf’s celebration of Behn, and Hellena’s rebellious spirit, Aphra Behn’s play remains a powerful commentary on women’s rights, inspiring us to continue questioning and valuing individual freedom.