Aphra Behn

Aphra Behn (1640–1689) was one of the first English women to earn a living as a professional writer and is a prominent figure of the Restoration period. Known for her plays, poetry, and novels, she explored themes of love, power, gender dynamics, and colonialism. Behn also served as a spy for King Charles II, further cementing her place in history as a groundbreaking and versatile figure.

### Key Works:

1. **The Rover (1677)**: 

   - A Restoration comedy subtitled *The Banish’d Cavaliers*, it follows the romantic escapades of the rakish Captain Willmore. Notable characters include:

     - **Hellena**, a witty and defiant young woman destined for a convent, who falls for Willmore.

     - **Angellica Bianca**, a courtesan who becomes entangled with Willmore, experiencing betrayal and revenge.

     - The play critiques the libertinism and double standards of the time while offering a sharp portrayal of gender and power.

2. **Oroonoko (1688)**:

   - A novella often regarded as one of the earliest examples of the English novel.

   - The story follows Prince Oroonoko, a noble African enslaved and taken to Suriname, where he leads a failed revolt. His tragic love for Imoinda, whom he kills to save from further suffering, and his own subsequent death highlight themes of slavery, honor, and colonial brutality.

3. **The Emperor of the Moon (1687)**:

   - A farcical play in which suitors disguise themselves as aliens to fool the overly gullible Dr. Baliardo, who believes in extraterrestrial life. The comedic plot ultimately leads to the marriages of the suitors and Baliardo’s daughters.

4. **The Disappointment**:

   - A mock-epic poem describing an unsuccessful sexual encounter between Cloris and Lysander. The poem explores themes of impotence, frustration, and gender expectations with wit and subversive humor.

5. **The Feign’d Curtizans (1679)**:

   - Another Restoration comedy where women use disguises and wit to navigate and subvert societal constraints, echoing themes of independence and agency.

6. **The False Count (1681)**:

   - A comedy that satirizes class and mistaken identities, with elements of romance and intrigue.

7. **Poetry**:

   - Works like *"To the Fair Clarinda"* address complex themes of gender and sexuality, often using bold and innovative imagery.

   - Her poetry frequently blends personal reflection with societal commentary.

---

### Common Clues in Quiz Bowl Questions About Aphra Behn:

1. **The Rover** (Frequent): Key details often involve Captain Willmore, his relationships with Hellena and Angellica Bianca, and its critique of libertinism.

2. **Oroonoko** (Frequent): Themes of slavery, colonialism, and tragic love, focusing on Oroonoko’s revolt and his relationship with Imoinda.

3. **Angellica Bianca** (Moderate): A courtesan in *The Rover* who tries to kill Willmore, reflecting Behn’s interest in gender dynamics and power.

4. **Dr. Baliardo and aliens** (Moderate): Referencing the comedic premise of *The Emperor of the Moon*.

5. **Virginia Woolf** (Frequent): Woolf’s *A Room of One’s Own* celebrates Behn as a trailblazer for women writers, encouraging readers to drop flowers on her grave.

6. **The Disappointment** (Moderate): A satirical poem on male impotence, reflecting Behn’s sharp wit and exploration of gendered expectations.

7. **Suriname** (Moderate): A key setting in *Oroonoko*, where Behn may have gathered material during her time as a spy.

8. **Spy for Charles II** (Moderate): Behn’s life as a spy is frequently mentioned to emphasize her adventurous and unconventional life.

---

### Related Quiz Bowl Facts with Fill-in-the-Blank Practice:

1. **The Rover** features the courtesan ___1___ Bianca, who falls for Willmore and later attempts revenge.  

2. Aphra Behn’s novel *Oroonoko* takes place in ___2___, where Oroonoko leads a failed slave revolt.  

3. In *Oroonoko*, the title character tragically kills his lover ___3___ before his own execution.  

4. Behn satirized male impotence in her mock-epic poem ___4___.  

5. Virginia Woolf urged readers to drop flowers on Aphra Behn’s tomb in her essay *A Room of ___5___.*  

6. In *The Emperor of the Moon*, Dr. ___6___ is duped by suitors disguised as aliens.  

7. Behn worked as a spy for King ___7___ II, using the code name Astrea.  

8. In *The Rover*, Willmore falls in love with ___8___, a young woman destined for a convent.

---

### Answers:

1. Angellica  

2. Suriname  

3. Imoinda  

4. The Disappointment  

5. One’s Own  

6. Baliardo  

7. Charles  

8. Hellena  

### Frequency Analysis of Clues, References, or Plot Lines:

1. **Aphra Behn** – 12 occurrences: The Restoration playwright and novelist known for *The Rover* and *Oroonoko*, celebrated as a pioneer for women writers by Virginia Woolf in *A Room of One's Own.*

2. ***The Rover*** – 11 occurrences: Behn's play about the adventures of Willmore and his romance with Hellena, featuring the courtesan Angellica Bianca.

3. ***Oroonoko*** – 10 occurrences: A novel about the tragic tale of an enslaved African prince and his lover Imoinda in Suriname, emphasizing themes of colonialism and slavery.

4. **Angellica Bianca** – 7 occurrences: A courtesan in *The Rover* who falls for Willmore and contemplates revenge after his betrayal.

5. **Virginia Woolf’s praise in *A Room of One’s Own*** – 6 occurrences: Woolf’s statement that “all women… ought to let flowers fall upon the tomb” of Aphra Behn for earning women the right to express themselves.

6. **Imoinda's tragic death in *Oroonoko*** – 6 occurrences: A central event where Imoinda is killed by Oroonoko in a moment of despair and love.

7. **Dr. Baliardo and *The Emperor of the Moon*** – 5 occurrences: Behn’s farcical play featuring a character who believes his daughters are marrying aliens.

8. **Cloris and Lysander in “The Disappointment”** – 5 occurrences: Behn’s poem about a failed sexual encounter, often interpreted as satirical commentary on male inadequacy.

9. **Hellena and Willmore's romance in *The Rover*** – 5 occurrences: The central love story of the play, highlighting themes of liberty and courtship.

10. **Behn’s role as a spy in Suriname** – 4 occurrences: An aspect of Behn’s life speculated to have informed the setting and themes of *Oroonoko.* 

11. **Themes of premature ejaculation in "The Disappointment"** – 4 occurrences: A humorous and provocative treatment of a sensitive topic in Restoration literature.

12. **Feminist legacy of Aphra Behn** – 4 occurrences: Her status as a trailblazing woman writer and her influence on later generations, as noted by Woolf and others.