'The Rover' by Aphra Behn as a Restoration comedy

The Rover as a :
Restoration Comedy

1. The Rover as a : Restoration Comedy Prepare By : Jay Maruniya

2. Personal Information: Name: Jay .B. Maruniya Enrollment No: 5108230027 Sem:1 (M.A) Batch:2023-2025 Paper Name: literature of The Elizabeth and Restoration periods Submitted To: smt, S.B.gradi , Department of English, m.k.b.u Dated on:29/10/2023 Email id: [email protected]

3. Table of contents: The Rover What is Restoration comedy? Characteristics of Restoration comedy. Social and political satire Compare to other Restoration comedy Conclusion Ciation

4. The Rover : 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. .Aphra Behn was the only obscure and improved woman "to write for the breed". She was the first British woman to write to earn a living from writing. Her most celebrated play, "The Rover," is a classical Restoration comedy. Based on earlier work Thomaso by Thomas Killigrew, written in 1654 but was not published until ten years later. The rover was an instant success. "The Rover'' deals with the romantic intrigues of English men and Spanish women in Naples over a carnival weekend. It is set during the Interregnum.

5. Background: Restoration comedy The Restoration Comedy is an English comedy performed in the Restoration Period (1660-1710). It started developing after the public stage was banned for 18 years. When King Charles II became the king of England, he brought the ideas of the French with him. allowed two patents for theatres: The Kings' Company and The Duke's Company.

6. What Is Restoration comedy? The Restoration Comedy is also called the Comedy of Manners. It depicts the lives, manners, and habits of upper-class society with their vices, intrigues, and behaviour. It reflects the very spirit of the age. It deals with the behaviour of men and women living under special social codes. Rover shows relationships, along with the intrigues of men and women belonging to a sophisticated society.

7. Characteristics of Restoration comedy: Witty dialogues Satire Complex plots Sexual content Social commentary Comedic tone Restoration comedy is a genre of theatre that flourished in the late 17th century during the Restoration period in England. It is characterized by its witty dialogue, comedic situations, and exploration of themes such as love, marriage, and social dynamics.

8. Witty dialogues: Witty and incisive dialogue is also key to Restoration comedies. This added to the mocking tone that many Restoration comedies had. Example: The play is full of witty dialogue, especially by Hellena. In Act 1, Scene II, we find Hellena and Willmore flirting with each other. Satire: The majority of Restoration comedies were satirical. Playwrights typically used the humour of the genre to mock different aspects of society. There was a level of absurdity in Restoration comedies that allowed them to poke fun at different societal conditions and social classes.

9. Complex plots: Many Restoration comedies had quite complicated stories. They often had many characters with intertwined relationships and overlapping interests. This added to the purposeful ridiculousness and absurdity. Sexual content: Sexual innuendoes and promiscuity featured prominently in Restoration comedies. This marked a sharp break with the norms of Puritan society that Oliver Cromwell had enforced upon England in years previous.

10. Social commentary: Despite their humorous tone, Restoration comedies frequently contained a great deal of social commentary hidden beneath their jokes. The mockery of social norms and classes was inspired by a want for change. Comedic tone As shown in the genre's title, comedy is central to these plays. They typically had a light and comedic tone. Restoration comedies were designed to make audiences laugh and give them a sense of enjoyment.

11. Social and political satire: "The Rover" is a play written by Aphra Behn in the late 17th century, and it's known for its satirical elements that critique various social and political aspects of the era. Gender and Morality: The play satirizes the rigid gender roles and double standards of the 17th century. Behn uses her female characters to challenge traditional notions of female virtue and submission, portraying women who are witty, assertive, and independent. Political instability: "The Rover" is set in Naples during the 1650s when the city was experiencing political turmoil. Behn satirizes this instability through the chaotic events in the play, highlighting the fickle nature of political power and the whims of those in authority. Class and social hierarchy: The play highlights the distinctions between the aristocracy and the lower classes. It satirizes the pretensions of the upper class and the often farcical ways in which they interact with the lower classes, especially through the romantic pursuits of the main character. Critique of marriage: The play questions the institution of marriage and the societal pressures to conform to it. The characters often seek love and sexual freedom outside of marriage, highlighting the limitations and hypocrisies associated with wedlock.

12. Comparisons to Other Restoration Comedies: Other notable Restoration comedy: "She Stoops to Conquer" by Oliver Goldsmith: Similarity: Both "The Rover" and "She Stoops to Conquer" contain elements of mistaken identity and romantic entanglements, leading to comedic misunderstandings. Difference: "The Rover" is set in a war-torn Naples and has a more dramatic and adventurous tone, while "She Stoops to Conquer" is a more straightforward comedy set in the English countryside.

13. Conclusion: The play has almost all the characteristics of a Restoration comedy. It is one of the best Restoration comedies ever written. The play demonstrates various aspects of life: from the narrow social limitations to the treatment of women in society. The use of witty dialogues and sex as a bartering chip to women violates social convention. As Charles Lamb concluded, "Restoration Comedies are a world of themselves, almost as much as fairy land.”

14. References: British Library. (n.d.). https://www.bl.uk/works/the-rover Maity, S. (2023, June 24). Restoration comedy: Definition and its characteristics. Literary Ocean. https://literaryocean.com/restoration-comedy-definition-and-its-characteristics/ https://www.studysmarter.co.uk/explanations/english-literature/literary-devices/restoration-comedy/ Restoration comedy

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