How do the various depictions of men's and women's relationship negotiations in "The Rover" comment on gender relations in Restoration England? How are these depictions of male/female relations similar to or different than those in plays we read earlier in the semester? Is there any apparent evolution?
Helena and Willmore's exchange at the end of act 5 scene 1 articulates how men's and women's interests can be at odds when it comes to marriage. W: "Marriage is as certain a bane to love as lending money is to friendship." H: "What shall I get? A cradle full of noise and mischief, with a pack full of repentance at my back?" Why does Willmore than concede so easily: "one kiss, and I am thine." Does this complicate Behn's culminating/parting shots on the institution of marriage?
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