Introduction to The Rover by Aphra Behn

Welcome to your study guide for The Rover! This play is a masterpiece of Restoration Drama, written by Aphra Behn—one of the first women in England to earn her living as a professional writer. It’s a fast-paced, funny, and sometimes shocking play about love, lust, and identity. Because this is for Paper 1 Drama, we will focus on how Behn uses the stage, her characters' dialogue, and the chaotic setting of a carnival to explore big ideas about society.

Note: This play is part of the 2027 & 2028 syllabus. Other plays in this section include Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, Barber Shop Chronicles, and The Tempest.

Section 1: The Context – Why the Setting Matters

To understand The Rover, you need to understand the world it was written in. This was Restoration England (the late 1600s), a time when theater was coming back to life after years of being banned. For the first time, women were allowed to act on stage, and female playwrights like Behn were breaking new ground.

The Carnival Setting

The play is set in Naples during Carnival. Think of Carnival like a giant, city-wide masquerade party or "Spring Break."

  • Disguise: Characters wear masks and costumes. This allows them to act in ways they normally wouldn't.
  • Freedom: The usual rules of social class and "proper" behavior are suspended.
  • Danger: Because everyone is masked, it’s easy for misunderstandings or "accidents" to happen.

Quick Review: The Carnival setting is a "world turned upside down" where characters can escape their strict lives and pursue their own desires.

Section 2: Key Characters

The play follows two main groups: the Cavaliers (English soldiers traveling abroad) and a group of Spanish noblewomen looking for adventure.

Willmore (The "Rover")

Willmore is the title character. He is wild, impulsive, and constantly looking for his next romantic conquest. He represents the "Rake" archetype—a man who loves wine, women, and freedom, but often behaves selfishly or even violently. Don't worry if you find him difficult to like; Behn likely intended for his behavior to be debated by the audience!

Hellena

Hellena is one of Behn’s most famous characters. She is a witty, wealthy young woman who is supposed to become a nun. However, she wants to experience "love" (and life) before being locked away in a convent. She is a match for Willmore in every way—she is just as smart and just as bold.

Florinda

Hellena’s sister. While Hellena is witty and playful, Florinda represents a more traditional "heroine." She is in love with Belvile but is being pressured by her brother, Pedro, to marry a wealthy man she hates. Her story highlights the lack of choice women had in marriage.

Angellica Bianca

A famous and expensive courtesan (a high-class sex worker). She is powerful and independent until she falls in genuine love with Willmore. Her character is tragic because she loses her power when she gives her heart away.

Did you know? Aphra Behn herself was a spy for King Charles II! Her adventurous life is often reflected in the bold, clever characters she creates.

Section 3: Major Themes

When writing your essay for Paper 1, you should link your analysis to these central themes:

1. Marriage vs. Love

In the 17th century, marriage was often a business transaction. Florinda’s brother wants to sell her to the highest bidder. Behn uses the play to argue that women should have the right to choose their own partners based on affection, not just money.

2. The Double Standard

The play highlights the unfair difference between how men and women are treated:

  • Men (like Willmore) are expected to be "rovers" and are often forgiven for their bad behavior.
  • Women (like Florinda and Hellena) must protect their "honor" (virginity/reputation) or they will be ruined.

3. Disguise and Identity

Because of the masks, characters are often mistaken for someone else. This creates dramatic irony (where the audience knows something the characters don't). Masks allow the women to speak more freely to men, but they also lead to dangerous situations where the men think they can get away with anything because they are anonymous.

Key Takeaway: Behn uses the comedy of the masks to hide a serious critique of how limited women's lives were in her time.

Section 4: Analyzing Language and Form (AO2)

To get high marks (AO2), you must look at how Behn writes. Here are some tips:

Wit and "Repartee"

Pay attention to the "battle of wits" between Willmore and Hellena. Their dialogue is fast, full of metaphors, and very clever. This is called repartee. It shows they are intellectual equals. Example: When they tease each other about religion or business, they are actually testing each other’s feelings.

Prose vs. Verse

Most of the play is written in prose (natural-sounding speech). This makes the action feel fast, realistic, and energetic. However, when characters talk about deep love, the language sometimes becomes more poetic.

Stagecraft: The Use of Space

Behn uses "discovery scenes" (where a curtain is pulled back to reveal a character) and multiple locations (streets, gardens, bedrooms). This creates a sense of constant movement and chaos, mirroring the Carnival atmosphere.

Common Mistake to Avoid: Don't just summarize what happens. Instead, explain why Behn chose to have a character wear a specific disguise or use a specific word. For example, why does Willmore use the language of "war" or "theft" when talking about love?

Section 5: Exam Strategy for Paper 1

In the exam, you will have two choices for The Rover:

Question (a): The Whole-Text Essay

This asks you to discuss a theme or character across the whole play. Tip: Have 3-4 key moments from the play memorized. Since you can't take the book in, you need to be able to describe these scenes in detail (e.g., the first meeting of Willmore and Hellena, or the scene where Angellica confronts Willmore with a pistol).

Question (b): The Passage-Based Question

You will be given a printed extract from the play. Tip: Focus heavily on AO2 (Analysis). Look at the specific words, the stage directions, and how the tension builds in that specific moment. Then, briefly link it to the rest of the play.

Summary Checklist

  • Can I explain how the Carnival setting affects the plot?
  • Can I compare Hellena and Florinda's approaches to love?
  • Do I understand why Angellica Bianca is a tragic figure?
  • Can I identify examples of wit and dramatic irony?
  • Am I ready to discuss the double standard between men and women?

Don't worry if the language feels a bit old-fashioned at first! Once you get used to the rhythm of the wit, you'll see that the drama and humor in "The Rover" are very modern.