Thinking Activity :" The Rover"

 Hello,

Welcome to my blog, where I will talk about what I think and try to answer the questions given in this task.this blog is written as response to the given by Megha ma'am.

Introduction:

 The Rover is a comedy in two parts, subtitled "The Banish'd Cavaliers". Part one of The Rover was published in 1677, and part two was published in 1681. The play follows English Cavaliers as they travel through Madrid and Naples, falling in and out of love as they go along.

The play was written by Aphra Behn, who was the first Englishwoman on record to have been a professional writer. She wrote dramas, fiction, and poetry, and very little is known about her personal life. The Rover is one of her most commercially successful plays.

Now let's discuss questions one by one.

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

Ans:

Angellica makes a good point; marriage and prostitution are both relationships that are customarily contingent, to varying degrees, upon financial considerations. They are of course not entirely the same, but it would seem hypocritical to denounce one and participate in the other. The point of this statement is to acknowledge that marriage can be just as amoral as prostitution if one considers placing a monetary value on love the reason behind prostitution’s amorality.

(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:

Virginia Woolf's statement is a powerful acknowledgment of the historical struggles women faced in having their voices heard. While her statement may not directly relate to the play 'The Rover,' I can provide some context to help you analyze it in the context of Aphra Behn and her contributions to women's literature.

'The Rover' is one of Aphra Behn's most famous plays. It showcases strong, independent female characters who challenge societal norms and expectations. Behn's work, including 'The Rover,' is an embodiment of the idea that women should have the right to express their thoughts and desires, which aligns with Virginia Woolf's statement. Behn was a pioneer in breaking down barriers for female writers and artists in her time.

In 'The Rover,' characters like Hellena and Florinda assert their desires and challenge traditional gender roles. Their actions can be seen as early examples of women speaking their minds, which, in the broader context of literary history, contribute to the gradual change in how women's voices were perceived and valued.

So, in this sense, the play 'The Rover' can be seen as supporting Virginia Woolf's statement about Aphra Behn earning women the right to speak their minds. The play exemplifies Behn's contribution to empowering women in literature and society by giving voice to her female characters.

(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:

Aphra Behn was a woman ahead of her time; as the first published female author, she broke the mold not only in her professional accomplishments, but also in her daily life. She was a well-traveled woman, spending time in Surinam with her family, and in Antwerp as a spy for Charles II. 

Behn is also purported to have had an on-and-off-again relationship with an English expatriate and spy. Her path is one characterized by inconstancy, and it was one that could only have been undertaken by a brave and confident individual. 

 In The Rover, it is Hellena who best demonstrates confidence and bravery in her endeavors to alter her destiny. Like Aphra, Helena is a confident woman and persuasive leader, not afraid to draw attention to the hypocrisy of religion, and drawn strongly to the freedom of libertinism. She also shares with Aphra a desire to explore and live dangerously.

Thank you 😊...