jueves, 27 de octubre de 2011

Female values in Aphra Behn's works

                    
Female characters within Aphra Behn’s works are represented as women trapped within social limitations. The female writer is using her characters as symbols of the voice which needs to be heard.
In the women’s search for happiness, throughout Behn’s works, the reader can see her attempts to show that they can be seen as the perfect symbol of wealth.
When women are exemplified as independent or isolated characters, it can be appreciated how the female character is being created without the restrictions imposed by society. Therefore, isolation and, in some cases, death, is not a tragic moment but a liberation or escape from the restrictions in which they were emerged.
Behn’s plays and many poems explore desire. In addition, it needs to be specified that a desirable woman possesses beauty, the power to evoke passion in men, and wit. She also gives her female characters the power of the word. Thus they also work properly as the perfect intellectual individual.
However, Behn establishes a difference between the idea of female beauty and female wealth. The first one is just a step to reach the whole perfection of a complete woman.
Lastly, I would say that as well as wanting to be a remarkable writer, Aphra Behn also wished that her characters were outstanding female figures.

miércoles, 12 de octubre de 2011

Why did I choose Astraea?


Astrea was the code-name that Aphra Behn uses as hers when she was working as a spy for Charles II. During the war with the Dutch, she supplied information to the English government. When she returned to England she was taken to jail briefly for debt.
In Greek mythology, Astræa or Astrea (Ancient Greek: Ἀστραῖα: "star-maiden")was Zeus and Themis's daughter. She was, as her mother, a goddess of justice.

http://www.pantheon.org/articles/a/astraea.html
MCMXCV - MMIX Encyclopedia Mythica™.