The ROVER

This blog is a part of thinking activity.

Assigned by Megha Maa'm.

Aphra Behn :-

Aphra Behn (14 December 1640 – 16 April 1689) was an English playwright, poet, prose writer and translator from the Restoration era. As one of the first English women to earn her living by her writing, she broke cultural barriers and served as a literary role model for later generations of women authors.Rising from obscurity, she came to the notice of Charles II, who employed her as a spy in Antwerp.She is remembered in Virginia Woolf's A Room of One's Own: "All women together ought to let flowers fall upon the tomb of Aphra Behn which is, most scandalously but rather appropriately, in Westminster Abbey, for it was she who earned them the right to speak their minds."

🌸 Her works :-

∆ Plays :-

The Forc'd Marriage (performed 1670; published 1671)

The Amorous Prince (1671)

The Dutch Lover (1673)

Abdelazer (performed 1676; published 1677)

The Town-Fopp (1676)

The Debauchee (1677), an adaptation, attribution disputed

The Rover (1677)

The Counterfeit Bridegroom (1677), attribution disputed

Sir Patient Fancy (1678)

The Feign'd Curtizans (1679)

The Young King (performed 1679; published 1683)

The Revenge (1680), an adaptation, attribution disputed

The Second Part of the Rover (performed 1680; published 1681)

The False Count (performed 1681; published 1682)

The Roundheads (performed 1681; published 1682)

The City-Heiress (1682)

Like Father, Like Son (1682), lost play

Prologue and epilogue to anonymously published Romulus and Hersilia (1682)

The Luckey Chance (performed 1686; published 1687)

The Emperor of the Moon (1687)

∆ Prose:-

Love-Letters Between a Nobleman and His Sister (1684–1687), published anonymously in three parts, attribution disputed

La Montre: or, the Lover's Watch (1686), loose translation/adaptation of a novel by Bonnecorse

The Fair Jilt (1688)

Oroonoko (1688)

The History of the Nun: or, the Fair Vow-Breaker (1689)

The Lucky Mistake (1689)[51]

🌺 Question & Answers :-

 

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

Ans.

Whether or not Angellica is correct in viewing financial negotiations before marrying a prospective bride as prostitution is a complex question with no easy answer. There are many factors to consider, including the cultural context in which the marriage is taking place, the power dynamics between the two partners, and the motivations of each individual involved.

In some cultures, it is common for the groom's family to pay a dowry to the bride's family. This dowry is often seen as a way to compensate the bride's family for the loss of her income and her contributions to the household. In other cultures, it is common for the bride to bring a dowry to the marriage. This dowry is often seen as a way to provide the couple with a financial foundation for their new life together.

In both cases, the exchange of money can be seen as a form of negotiation. The two families are essentially bargaining for the best possible deal for their children. However, there is a difference between negotiating a dowry and engaging in prostitution. Prostitution is a commercial sex act, in which one person pays another person for sexual services. Marriage, on the other hand, is a legal and social contract between two people who have agreed to share their lives together.

Whether or not Angellica is correct in viewing financial negotiations before marrying a prospective bride as prostitution depends on her own personal beliefs and values. Some people may believe that any exchange of money between two people in the context of marriage is a form of prostitution. Others may believe that it is perfectly acceptable to negotiate the financial terms of a marriage, as long as both partners are doing so freely and willingly.

My opinion :-

Ultimately, whether or not financial negotiations before marriage are the same as prostitution is a matter of personal opinion. I believe that there are key differences between the two, but Angellica is free to have her own opinion on the matter.

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.

Yes, I agree with Virginia Woolf's statement that Aphra Behn earned women the right to speak their minds. Behn was a prolific writer of the Restoration era, and her work challenged many of the social and political conventions of her time. She was also one of the first women to make a living from her writing.

In her play "The Rover," Behn creates a number of strong and independent female characters. The protagonist, Hellena, is a wealthy widow who is determined to remain independent and unmarried. She is also highly intelligent and resourceful, and she outwits the men who try to manipulate her.

Other female character in the play, such as Florinda is also strong and independent. She is not afraid to stand up for herself and to speak her mind. Behn's portrayal of these female characters was highly subversive for its time, and it helped to pave the way for future generations of women writers.

In addition to her strong female characters, Behn also uses "The Rover" to explore a number of other feminist themes, such as the importance of female education and the right of women to choose their own husbands. She also criticizes the double standards that existed for men and women in her society.

For example, in one scene in the play, Hellena dresses up as a man in order to escape from her pursuers. She is able to do this with ease, and she even manages to seduce a woman while she is disguised as a man. This scene highlights the absurdity of the social conventions that restricted women's lives at the time.

Overall, "The Rover" is a groundbreaking play that challenges many of the social and political conventions of its time. Behn's portrayal of strong and independent female characters was highly subversive, and it helped to pave the way for future generations of women writers. For this reason, I believe that she deserves to be credited with earning women the right to speak their minds.

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.

The female character that best represents Aphra Behn is Helena. Helena is a witty, independent, and intelligent woman who is not afraid to challenge the status quo. She is also a skilled manipulator who is able to get what she wants. These are all qualities that Behn herself possessed.

Behn was a groundbreaking figure in the Restoration era. She was the first woman to earn a living as a professional writer, and her plays and poems were often controversial for their frank portrayal of sexuality and their challenges to traditional gender roles. Like Helena, Behn was not afraid to speak her mind, even when it meant going against the grain.

Here are some specific examples of how Helena's character traits and beliefs reflect Behn's own:

1) Helena is a skilled conversationalist and debater. She is able to outsmart the men she encounters, and she is not afraid to challenge their authority. Behn herself was known for her wit and intelligence. She was also a well-educated woman who was fluent in several languages.

2) Helena is a fiercely independent woman. She does not need a man to support her, and she is not afraid to live her life on her own terms. Behn was also an independent woman. She earned her own living and she was not afraid to stand up for herself.

3) Helena is not afraid to challenge the social and political norms of her time. She is a strong advocate for women's rights, and she believes that women should be treated as equals to men. Behn was also a challenger of the status quo. She was a feminist who advocated for women's rights and opportunities.

In addition to these specific characteristics, Helena and Behn also share a similar worldview. Both women believe in the power of love and passion, and they are both skeptical of conventional morality.

Overall, Helena is the female character that best represents Aphra Behn because she embodies many of Behn's own qualities and beliefs. She is a witty, intelligent, and independent woman who is not afraid to challenge the status quo.