A Patriarchic Society in Aphra Behns The Rover Essay -- Aphra Behn Ro

A Patriarchic Society in Aphra Behns The RoverIn her play The Rover, Aphra Behn uses the treatment of women to suggest the presence of a strong patriarchic society and what harm bath become of it. The main female character Florinda is earthipulated, used, and treated horribly by men in instances of near-rape, banging and beating, and foul language among other things. Behn also uses Willmore, one of the main male characters, and his attitude towards women to prove her point. By doing this, Behn is suggesting patriarchy is dangerous for women, and their lack of fighting against it presupposes what can happen to women over time if this strong patriarchic society is allowed to flourish. In act three, Florinda is almost raped by a drunken Willmore. He doesnt know who she is, he thinks shes just, A female By this light, a woman Im a dog if it be not a very wench (III.v.16 17). This shows that he only sees her as a sex object. He then tries to take advantage of her. As she puts up a struggle, he says, Come, come, take it or Ill put it up againWhy, how now, mistress, are you so high ith mouth a pistole wont down with you? ...Come, no struggling to be goneIm for ye (III.v.67 72), trying to force her into submission. In another instance in act four, the corresponding thing nearly happens again to Florinda when she ventures into Blunts house. Blunt has been tricked by another woman and decides to take his revenge out on that woman by sleeping with Florinda. He gets very physical with her and Florinda protests with, Dare you be so cruel? (IV.v.51). Blunt replies with this heartless speech Cruel? ...as a galley slave, or a Spanish whoreI will kiss and beat thee all over, kiss and see thee all over ... ...the patriarchic society, Florindas bring and brother wont allow them to be married. She was treated as a prize awarded to the most eligible candidate. Here, Behn is showing how damaging the patriarchic customs duty of arranged marriages can be to those involved. Even though they ended up together, they had to fight a battle to do so. By ending the play this way, Behn is manifestation people who love each other shouldnt have to fight to be together, thereby proving this patriarchic practice unfair. By placing an emphasis on the man who uses women as sex objects by titling her play after him by having almost all the female characters in the play treated horribly, used, and manipulated and having the female characters barely putt up a fight, Aphra Behn suggests the heavily patriarchic society that exists is too extensive and is dangerous for the women in it.