One of Behn's most enduring themes was the exploration of sexual freedom, often portrayed through her female characters. In plays like The Rover, The Dutch Lover, and The Lucky Chance, Behn presented women who were sexually autonomous and whose desires were as powerful and complex as those of their male counterparts. In these plays, women engage in romantic and sexual relationships on their terms, challenging the patriarchal structures that dictated their behavior.
Moreover, Behn was a keen observer of power dynamics, particularly as they pertain to the relationships between men and women. Many of her works featured characters who navigated the complex power struggles between the sexes, with women often maneuvering within or against the confines of a male-dominated society. This exploration of power, particularly in sexual and romantic relationships, can be seen as an early feminist critique of the social order.
Aphra Behn as a Poet and Novelist
While Behn is best remembered for her plays, she was also a talented poet and novelist. Her poetry, which ranged from love sonnets to satirical verses, continued her exploration of the themes of gender, sexuality, and societal roles. Behn’s poetry often blended sensuality with sharp social commentary, marking her as a writer who was not only concerned with the personal but also with the political and the social.
In addition to poetry, Behn is also credited with writing one of the earliest English novels, Oroonoko (1688), a tale of a royal African prince who is betrayed and enslaved. Oroonoko was revolutionary in its portrayal of race and colonialism, offering a critique of the institution of slavery and the treatment of people of African descent. The novel is both an adventure story and a tragic exploration of love, honor, and betrayal, and it remains an important work in the history of the English novel. shutdown123