The Rover, Acts 2-3

Act 2

In Act 2 we are introduced to Angellica Bianca (literally, the “white angel”), one of Behn’s most fascinating characters. A woman of means, she is also a courtesan, a kind of high-end prostitute. (Research this term a little, and report briefly what you find.)

Angellica’s exchanges with Willmore, the Rover of the title, are central to the play, and best seen as contrasted with those of several other (would-be) couples: Belvile and Florinda to be sure (the Romeo and Juliet of the play), but also (marginally) Blunt and Lucetta, and (more significantly) Willmore (again!) and Hellena.

Examine and comment upon the first extended exchange between Willmore and Angellica (2.2). Questions to consider:

• What is at stake for Angellica in this scene, and why does it matter?
• What is the essence of Willmore’s argument, and how does Angellica respond?
• Which of these characters shifts in their point of view by the end of the scene, and in what consists the change?

Be sure to support your answers and/or additional observations by citing specific passages.

Act 3

Willmore is the Rover of the play’s title, a man who travels (“roves”) from place to place, working as a soldier for hire. He also “roves” in another sense. Examine the following exchanges and respond to the prompts:

• Willmore and Hellena (3.1.130ff.)
  • Choose a particularly compelling passage and explain why you find it interesting as commentary upon the games men and women play when vulnerable to love.
• Willmore and Florinda (3.5)
  • See especially Willmore at ll. 51-55: what does he mean, and how do you respond?
• Willmore and Belvile (3.6.1-25)
  • See especially Belvile’s remarks at ll. 21-24, followed by Willmore’s response (25). What does he mean, and what might it suggest about class distinctions in the play?

Returning to the first two of these Act 3 exchanges: what are the most striking differences? And how are they similar (a more difficult but perhaps more interesting question)?