The Rover and Other Plays by Aphra Behn
This Oxford World's Classics edition presents four essential comedies by Aphra Behn (1640-89), one of the Restoration period's most significant playwrights. The collection includes The Rover, The Feigned Courtesans, The Lucky Chance, and The Emperor of the Moon—plays that showcase Behn's wit, compassion, and theatrical range.
Plays Included in This Collection
The Rover stands as Behn's best-known work, delivering sharp comedy and memorable characters that continue to captivate audiences in modern revivals. The Feigned Courtesans offers a lively comedy of intrigue with clever plot twists and vibrant dialogue. The Lucky Chance takes a satirical look at marriage customs with a bitter edge, examining social conventions through comedy. The Emperor of the Moon rounds out the collection as a dazzling farce that has remained popular with audiences and theater companies.
About Aphra Behn
Aphra Behn achieved both success and controversy during her lifetime as one of the first English women to earn her living through writing. Her achievements are now recognized more clearly, and her plays continue to be revived regularly on stages worldwide. This collection demonstrates why her work remains relevant—combining entertainment with social commentary and theatrical innovation.
Oxford World's Classics Edition Features
All four plays have been newly edited with modernized spelling and punctuation, making them accessible to contemporary readers while preserving Behn's distinctive voice. This edition reflects Oxford's commitment to scholarship, providing accurate texts alongside valuable supplementary materials. Expert introductions by leading authorities offer context and analysis. Comprehensive notes clarify the text and explain historical references. Up-to-date bibliographies guide further study of Restoration drama and Behn's work.
Editor Information
Jane Spencer, Lecturer in English Literature at the University of Exeter, edited this collection. Spencer also edited Behn's Oroonoko and other Writings for Oxford World's Classics, bringing extensive expertise in Restoration literature to this volume.
For over 100 years, Oxford World's Classics has made available the broadest spectrum of literature from around the globe. Each affordable volume reflects Oxford's commitment to scholarship, providing the most accurate text plus a wealth of other valuable features, including expert introductions by leading authorities, voluminous notes to clarify the text, up-to-date bibliographies for further study, and much more.
