Welcome to the World of Aphra Behn!
Hello there! You are about to dive into The Rover, one of the most exciting and scandalous plays of the 17th century. Written by Aphra Behn—the first woman in England to earn her living as a professional writer—this play is a wild ride through the streets of Naples during Carnival time.
In these notes, we will break down the complex language and overlapping plotlines into easy-to-understand chunks. Whether you love the drama or find old plays a bit confusing, don't worry! We’ll focus on exactly what you need for your Pearson Edexcel International AS Level exam, specifically looking at how Behn uses characterisation, context, and stagecraft to tell her story.
1. The "Big Picture" Context (AO3)
To understand The Rover, you need to understand the world Aphra Behn lived in. This period is known as the Restoration.
The "Party" After the "Lockdown"
Imagine your country had a law for 18 years that banned Christmas, dancing, and theatre. That was England under the Puritans. In 1660, King Charles II returned to the throne, and the theatres reopened. This is called the Restoration. People were ready to party, and the plays reflected this new sense of freedom, sex, and wit.
Women on Stage
Did you know? Before the Restoration, men played all the female roles (even Juliet!). In Behn’s time, women were finally allowed to act. Behn wrote The Rover to take advantage of this, creating bold, funny, and complex female characters.
Key Takeaway: The play is a Restoration Comedy. It’s meant to be fast, funny, and a little bit naughty, reacting against the strict rules of the past.
2. Who’s Who? (Characterisation)
The play has a lot of characters, and it can be tricky to keep track of them. Let’s group them by their "vibes":
The Cavaliers (The "Bad Boys")
- Willmore (The Rover): He is the "wild child." He is a Rake—a man who loves wine, women, and trouble. He doesn't want to be tied down.
- Belvile: The "nice guy." He is deeply in love with Florinda and wants a traditional, honorable romance.
- Blunt: The "fool." He is a country man who gets tricked and ends up being the joke of the play.
The Sisters (The "Rebels")
- Hellena: A witty, brave young woman who is supposed to become a nun. She wants to experience love and "The Rover" (Willmore) before she is locked away.
- Florinda: Hellena’s sister. She is being forced by her brother to marry a rich old man, but she is secretly in love with Belvile.
The Professional
- Angellica Bianca: A famous and beautiful courtesan (a high-class prostitute). She falls for Willmore, but unlike the sisters, she has no family to protect her.
Memory Aid: Think of Willmore as "W"ild and Belvile as "B"ehaving. Hellena is the "H"eroine who "H"ates the idea of being a nun!
3. Key Themes (What is Behn trying to say?)
Marriage vs. Love
In the 1600s, marriage was often a business deal. Fathers and brothers chose husbands based on money (dowries). Analogy: Imagine if your older brother could choose who you date based on how much money they had in their bank account. That is Florinda's struggle!
Disguise and Identity
The play takes place during Carnival. Everyone is wearing masks. Why this matters: Masks allow characters to act in ways they normally wouldn't. Hellena can flirt with Willmore because her mask hides her identity as a future nun. Masks provide freedom but also cause confusion.
The Double Standard
Behn highlights how men like Willmore are praised for being "wild," while women are expected to be "pure." Angellica Bianca is a tragic figure because she gives her heart to Willmore, but because she is a fallen woman in society's eyes, she is left with nothing.
Quick Review Box:
- Willmore = The "Rover" (wandering heart).
- Carnival = The setting that allows for chaos and masks.
- Choice = The women fighting for the right to choose their own partners.
4. Dramatic Devices and Stagecraft
Since this is a drama text, you must talk about how it looks and sounds on a stage, not just a page!
The Use of the Fan and the Mask
In Restoration theatre, a fan or a mask wasn't just an accessory; it was a tool for flirting and secrecy. Actors would use these to "hide" from other characters while staying visible to the audience.
Asides
An aside is when a character speaks directly to the audience, and the other characters on stage "can't hear" them. Example: If Willmore says something rude about Blunt in an aside, it creates dramatic irony—we know something the other characters don't!
The "Breeches Role"
In one part of the play, Hellena dresses up as a man. This was called a breeches role. Why was it popular? It allowed the female actress to show her legs (which were usually covered by long skirts), which the 17th-century audience found very exciting. It also showed the character's agency (power) because she could move more freely as a man.
5. Common Mistakes to Avoid
1. Don't confuse the men! Students often mix up Willmore and Belvile. Remember: Willmore is the one causing chaos; Belvile is the one trying to get married properly.
2. Don't ignore Angellica Bianca. While the play is a comedy, Angellica’s story is quite sad. Mentioning the tone shift from funny to serious in her scenes will get you higher marks (AO2).
3. Forgetting the Context. Always remember that Aphra Behn was a woman. Her perspective on how men treat women is very different from the male writers of her time. Use this for your AO3 marks!
6. Summary: The Core of the Play
At its heart, The Rover is about the battle of the sexes. It asks: Can a "bad boy" ever change? and Can a woman find freedom in a world run by men?
Key Takeaways:
- Setting: Naples/Carnival (allows for masks and mischief).
- Genre: Restoration Comedy of Intrigue.
- Conflict: Love and desire vs. Money and family pressure.
- Language: Use of "Wit" (clever, fast-paced joking).
Don't worry if the language feels a bit old-fashioned at first. Just imagine it as a modern rom-com set at a massive costume party where everyone is trying to find "the one" while avoiding their annoying siblings!