Analysis of Gender Roles in Aphra Behn’s The Rover

Analysis of Gender Roles in Aphra Behn’s The Rover

Aphra Behn, a controversial and female author is one of the notable literary critics throughout the centuries (Canfield et al, 221). the literary plays she documented during the period of restoration were very popular on the stage. Similarly, her poetry and fiction were successful. Gallagher (97) asserted that “the feminine interest now giving importance to Behn as a pioneer in professionalism in women began to emerge.” Moreover, she used her literary work to address politics, social commentary, money, sex, power, relationships, ideals, and virtue. However, her major writing focus was on gender roles.

The essay will examine gender roles through the work of Behn of “the rover”. According to Hutner (198), the play “the rover” criticized…