Close Reading: Patriarchies In Aphra Behn's Play The Rover

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Patriarchies in Aphra Behn’s play The Rover
Aphra Behns play The Rover presents a patriarchy dominated society with dramatic scenarios that unveil in the play all pointing to the patriarchal social structure. Florindas rejection of her commodification of marriage and strong stand to marry the lover of her life gets her into problems in the patriarchal system. On the other hand Angelica Bianca turns outs as a person in the way defying the common marital marketplace and creates herself as a unique person who users her beauty as an alternative form of power. Wilmore’s attitude towards women indicates the deeply rooted patriarchal system in the society. In the play rape plays a great role in the struggles of the female characters to run away from the patriarchy system in the society. Behn indicates that the patriarchy system had its dangers in the society and the lack of women fighting against it legitimizes the patriarchy in the society.
The women in the society are used as sexual tools to satisfy the sexual needs of the males in the society. This can be indicated on the instances of rape that have been indicated in the novel. Florinda faces three rape attempts but the society does not consider it as a criminal act but it’s considered as a seduction or retaliation. Willmore is presented in act three as one of the subjects of rape who have believe that women are their objects for them to satisfy their sexual desires. The drunken Wilmore wants to rape Florinda and does not know who Florinda is and to him she is “A female! By this light, a woman! I’m a dog if it be not a very wench” (III.v.16 –17). Willmore despite the rejection by Florinda he tries to force her and force into sex, “Come, come, take it or I’ll put it up again…Why, how now, mistress, are you so high i’th’ mouth a pistole won’t down with you? ...Come, no struggling to be gone…I’m for ye” (III.v.67 – 72).Wllimore is presented throughout the play as a person who epitomizes the patriarchal concept in the society. She sleeps with women and every talk that he has is always around the woman character and sex. He tries to seduce Hellena in their first meeting and also sleeps with Angellica after vowing to Hellena to love her for life. The next time Hellena and Willmore meet he tries to get Hellena to sleep with him by promising her that he has changed and he is a trustworthy man. He tells her “Therefore, dear creatures, since we are so well agreed, let’s retire to my chamber; and if ever thou wert treated with such savory love! Come, my bed’s prepared for such a guest all clean and sweet as thy fair self” (V.i.430 – 434). Willmore has already prepared a bed to have sex with Hellena, however, Hellena insists they must get married first. This indicates the manner in which Willmore manipulates women in order to achieve her sexual desires. He can promise and say anything for him to have sex with a lady, he doesn&...