Aphra Behn's The Rover

         This task is given by megha ma'am.       

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

Angellica's View

Comparing Marriage and Prostitution: Angellica thinks that discussing money before marriage is similar to prostitution. Both involve money for personal relationships.

Explanation

Transactional Nature:

Money Involved: Both marriage and prostitution involve financial transactions. In marriage, it's about dowries, gifts, or financial stability.

Reducing Relationships:

Personal Connections: Angellica feels that focusing on money reduces these personal connections to mere transactions.

Marriage

Beyond Money: Marriage ideally involves love, respect, and partnership, which go beyond financial aspects.

Final Thought

Simplification: While Angellica highlights an important point about money in relationships, it's an oversimplification. Marriage includes emotional and personal dimensions beyond just money.

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’.

Virginia Woolf's Statement on Aphra Behn

Virginia Woolf praised Aphra Behn for giving women the freedom to express their thoughts openly. Woolf believed that Behn, as one of the first professional female writers, paved the way for women's voices to be heard in literature and society.

Agreeing with Woolf: Reference to 'The Rover'

Aphra Behn's Play "The Rover" shows why Woolf's statement makes sense:

Strong Female Characters:

Example: Characters like Hellena and Florinda are strong and independent. They make their own choices and challenge the traditional roles expected of them.

Impact: This was revolutionary at a time when women's roles were very limited.

Female Perspectives:

Focus on Women’s Lives: Behn's play gives importance to women's experiences and perspectives. This was rare in a male-dominated literary world.

Voice and Agency: The female characters in "The Rover" speak their minds and have their own desires and goals, showing that women’s voices matter.

Challenging Social Norms:

Breaking Stereotypes: The play challenges stereotypes about women, showing them as complex, intelligent, and capable of making their own decisions.

Critique of Society: Behn critiques the double standards and social norms that restrict women's freedom.

Conclusion

Trailblazer: By writing plays like "The Rover," Aphra Behn broke new ground and opened doors for future generations of women writers and thinkers.

Voice and Freedom: She demonstrated that women could be both creative and independent, encouraging them to speak their minds.

Virginia Woolf’s statement recognizes Behn’s significant role in giving women the right to express themselves. Behn’s work in "The Rover" shows her pioneering spirit and her impact on the world of literature.

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.

Hellena’s Characteristics and Beliefs

Independence and Defiance:

Rebellious Spirit: Hellena is determined to escape the convent life planned for her and live her own life. This rebellious nature mirrors Behn’s own defiance of societal norms by becoming a professional female writer in a male-dominated world.

Wit and Intelligence:

Clever and Witty: Hellena’s sharp wit and intelligence shine throughout the play, especially in her interactions with Willmore. Behn, known for her clever and insightful writing, imbues Hellena with these same qualities.

Desire for Freedom:

Freedom to Choose: Hellena wants the freedom to choose her own destiny, including whom to love and marry. This desire for autonomy reflects Behn’s own life choices, as she pursued a career in writing and espionage, carving out a space for herself in a restrictive society.

Bold and Fearless:

Courageous: Hellena is fearless in pursuing her goals, whether it’s challenging her brother or wooing Willmore. Behn’s boldness is evident in her career and the themes she explored in her works, often challenging societal expectations and conventions.

Argument Relating Hellena to Aphra Behn

Aphra Behn was a trailblazer, defying the conventions of her time to become one of the first professional female writers. Like Hellena, Behn was:

Independent: She supported herself through her writing, showcasing her independence in an era when women were often reliant on male relatives.

Witty and Clever: Behn’s works are known for their sharp wit and insightful commentary, qualities that Hellena embodies in the play.

Courageous: Behn took risks, both in her career and in her personal life, just as Hellena takes risks to secure her freedom and happiness.

Conclusion

Hellena best represents Aphra Behn due to her independence, wit, desire for freedom, and boldness. These attributes align closely with Behn’s own life and beliefs, making Hellena a fitting reflection of the playwright’s pioneering spirit.