The Representation of Women, Agency, and Aphra Behn’s Legacy in The Rover

This blog is part of thinking activity assigned by Megha Trivedi Ma'am.

Introduction

Aphra Behn (1640–1689) occupies a monumental position in the history of English literature. As one of the first women to earn a living through writing, Behn broke societal norms and created a path for future women to enter the literary world. Her work, particularly The Rover (1677), remains a masterful critique of Restoration England’s gender inequalities, societal hypocrisies, and the complex roles women were forced to navigate. In The Rover, Behn presents strong, multidimensional female characters whose struggles and triumphs reflect her own experiences and beliefs as a trailblazing writer.

This essay addresses three key questions related to The Rover: the critique by Angellica Bianca equating marital financial negotiations with prostitution, Virginia Woolf’s tribute to Behn’s legacy as a feminist pioneer, and the female character in the play who best represents Aphra Behn herself. By analyzing each question, the essay explores Behn’s subversive narrative strategies, her nuanced depiction of women’s agency, and her enduring influence on feminist discourse.

Question 1: Angellica Bianca’s Critique of Marriage as Prostitution

Angellica Bianca, the courtesan in The Rover, delivers one of the play’s most controversial critiques by drawing a parallel between financial negotiations in marriage and prostitution. This bold argument reflects Behn’s willingness to confront societal hypocrisy and challenge the patriarchal structures of her time.

Historical Context: Marriage as a Transactional Institution

Restoration England was a deeply patriarchal society where marriage was primarily an economic arrangement. Women, particularly those from wealthy families, were often treated as commodities, their value tied to dowries, land, or family connections. In such a context, marriage was less about love or companionship and more about securing financial stability or political alliances. Women rarely had agency in these arrangements and were expected to comply with the desires of their fathers or brothers, who acted as negotiators on their behalf.

This commodification of women extended beyond marriage to all aspects of their lives, from their roles in the household to their portrayal in literature and art. Angellica’s critique of marriage reflects her understanding of this systemic oppression, exposing the inherent similarities between the socially sanctioned practice of marriage and the stigmatized profession of prostitution.

Angellica’s Argument: A Defense of Agency

Angellica Bianca embodies a form of agency that is both empowering and subversive. As a courtesan, she takes control of her circumstances by attaching a price to her love and companionship, turning the transactional nature of relationships to her advantage. Yet, her power is not absolute; she remains vulnerable to societal judgment and personal betrayal.

Her critique of marriage as a form of socially acceptable prostitution emerges when she points out the hypocrisy in condemning her profession while celebrating marriages founded on financial negotiations. She laments:

"What’s a husband but a piece of money secured?"

Angellica’s words strip away the romanticized veneer of marriage, revealing its underlying economic motivations. Her bitterness stems from her realization that love, in both prostitution and marriage, is subjugated to material interests. Unlike women in marriage, however, Angellica retains some degree of agency by choosing her clients and setting her own terms, albeit within a restrictive and judgmental system.

Feminist Implications

Angellica’s critique resonates with feminist analyses of marriage as a patriarchal institution that commodifies women. Feminist thinkers such as Simone de Beauvoir and Mary Wollstonecraft have similarly critiqued the economic dependence imposed on women through marriage. Angellica’s argument aligns with these critiques, presenting prostitution and marriage as two sides of the same coin in a society that objectifies women.

Counterarguments

While Angellica’s critique is valid, it is not universally applicable. Marriages, particularly in modern contexts, can involve emotional intimacy, mutual respect, and companionship, distinguishing them from purely transactional relationships. Moreover, Angellica’s perspective is shaped by her personal experiences as a courtesan, which may color her view of relationships. Nevertheless, her argument remains a powerful indictment of societal hypocrisy and a call for greater recognition of women’s autonomy.

Question 2: Virginia Woolf’s Tribute to Aphra Behn

Virginia Woolf’s declaration in A Room of One’s Own—“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’s groundbreaking role in the literary world. Woolf’s words recognize Behn not only as a writer but also as a pioneer for women’s intellectual and creative freedom.

Behn’s Contribution to Women’s Literature

Behn’s career as one of the first professional female writers in England was revolutionary. At a time when women were largely excluded from intellectual and public life, Behn’s success demonstrated that women could thrive in male-dominated fields. Her works, including plays, novels, and poetry, often explored themes of gender, power, and agency, challenging societal norms and offering new perspectives on women’s roles.

The Rover as a Testament to Behn’s Legacy

The Rover exemplifies Behn’s ability to subvert traditional gender roles and present women as active agents in their own lives. The play’s female characters, including Hellena, Florinda, and Angellica Bianca, challenge societal expectations and assert their autonomy in various ways. These characters reflect Behn’s progressive views on gender and her belief in women’s right to self-determination.

Woolf’s Justification

Woolf’s admiration for Behn is rooted in her recognition of the barriers Behn overcame. By earning her living through writing, Behn defied societal expectations and paved the way for future generations of women writers. Her work challenged the idea that intellectual and creative pursuits were the domain of men, proving that women could contribute meaningfully to literature and culture.

Question 3: Which Female Character Best Represents Aphra Behn?

Aphra Behn’s female characters in The Rover are complex, multifaceted, and defy easy categorization. Each character reflects certain aspects of Behn’s beliefs and experiences, but Hellena stands out as the character who best represents the playwright herself. To support this argument, it is essential to consider the characteristics and beliefs of Hellena, Angellica Bianca, and Florinda, and how they align with what we know about Behn.

Hellena: The Defiant Wit

Hellena, the younger sister of Florinda, is a bold, witty, and determined young woman who seeks to escape the constraints of convent life and pursue her desires. Her defining characteristics include:

1. Defiance of Authority: Hellena rejects her family’s plan to send her to a convent, asserting her right to choose her own path. This defiance mirrors Behn’s own rebellion against societal norms, particularly the restrictions placed on women.
2. Wit and Intelligence: Hellena’s sharp tongue and quick thinking allow her to navigate the male-dominated world of the play. These traits reflect Behn’s own intellect and her ability to succeed in a literary world dominated by men.
3. Assertion of Desire: Hellena unapologetically pursues her love for Willmore, asserting her agency in matters of the heart. This aligns with Behn’s belief in women’s right to desire and autonomy.

Hellena’s wit, resilience, and refusal to conform make her the character most representative of Behn’s spirit.

Angellica Bianca: The Disillusioned Realist

Angellica Bianca is a courtesan who embodies both empowerment and vulnerability. Her defining characteristics include:

1. Critique of Societal Hypocrisy: Angellica’s critique of marriage as prostitution reflects Behn’s willingness to expose societal double standards.
2. Tragic Vulnerability: Despite her strength, Angellica’s emotional vulnerability leads to her betrayal by Willmore, highlighting the limitations of her power in a patriarchal society.

While Angellica reflects Behn’s critique of societal norms, her disillusionment and bitterness set her apart from the playwright’s optimistic belief in agency and resilience.

Florinda: The Romantic Idealist

Florinda, the elder sister, represents a more traditional form of femininity. Her defining characteristics include:

1. Desire for Romantic Love: Florinda seeks to marry for love rather than family obligation, asserting her autonomy within a limited framework.
2. Passivity: Compared to Hellena and Angellica, Florinda is more passive, relying on others to protect and defend her.

While Florinda embodies some of Behn’s beliefs about women’s right to love freely, her passivity and adherence to traditional gender roles make her less representative of the playwright’s progressive views.

Hellena as Behn’s Alter Ego

Among the female characters in The Rover, Hellena most closely represents Aphra Behn. Through her wit, resilience, and defiance of societal expectations, Hellena embodies the qualities that define Behn as a writer and individual.

Rejection of Patriarchal Constraints: Hellena’s determination to escape the convent mirrors Behn’s own rejection of societal limitations. As a writer, Behn defied the expectations placed on women, carving out a space for herself in a male-dominated field.

Assertion of Desire: Hellena unapologetically pursues her love for Willmore, asserting her autonomy in matters of the heart. Similarly, Behn’s works often explore women’s desires and the importance of agency in relationships.

Wit and Resourcefulness: Hellena’s quick thinking and sharp tongue reflect Behn’s own intelligence and literary skill.

Conclusion 

Aphra Behn’s The Rover is a remarkable exploration of gender, agency, and societal hypocrisy. Angellica Bianca’s critique of marriage as prostitution exposes the commodification of women and challenges the moral double standards of patriarchal society. Virginia Woolf’s tribute to Behn recognizes her as a pioneer for women’s intellectual and creative freedom.

https://youtu.be/hIWzePDZq54?si=NLdpOBLCAgPH6o8o

References:

https://blog.dilipbarad.com/2021/01/the-rover-aphra-behn.html