Male-Female Relationships in The Rover

Aphra Behn presents several views of different male-female relationships and makes certain statements regarding these different types and the different ways in which the males and females relate to one another. Three different types of male-female bond are examined. These three are those dominated by love and lust, those controlled by money, and those in which the male is the dominant force. These three bonds will be examined individually, which will be followed by an analysis of the three marriages at the end of the play in relation to these three types.
The action of the first act opens with a discussion between Florinda and Hellena on the topic of love. Hellena, attempting to discern which man has stolen Florinda’s heart, mentions Vincentio, saying “Or perhaps the rich old don Vincentio, whom my father designs you for a husband?” (I.i.18-9) To this, Florinda immediately clarifies that she holds no affection for don Vincentio, saying that she will not follow this order, ...