The Significance of Carnevale
The Significance of Carnevale in The RoverAphra Behn's play The Rover takes place in Venice, Italy during the Carnevale. Carnevale was one of the more important celebrations in Venice. It was a time of goodwill, dedicated to happiness and laughter much like the Mardi Gras we are familiar with today. The origins of Carnevale trace to over 3000 years ago to the pagan Roman fertility festival of Saturnalia (McCarthy 121). During Saturnalia, even the slaves took part in the festivities. Carnevale, a Latin word loosely translated as 'farewell to meat,' was the last opportunity for wild abandon and pleasures of the flesh before the religious period of Lent. Likewise in The Rover, Hellena and Florinda exploit the Carnevale season to liberate themselves before religious periods in their lives begin the Convent and a forced marriage, respectively. The symbol of Carnevale is the mask. The masks gave participants the opportunity to ridicule the archaic societal standards, without fear of punishment. Venetians of different social classes used Carnevale as an excuse to mingle and, in some cases, to trade sexual favors without fear of recognition or retribution. Members of the Aristocracy, in particular, went about their everyday
In 1672, Charles allies himself with Louis XIV in an unpopular war against Holland. The stage was entertainment where most of the upper class, which included the royal court, saw their escapades and dalliances realistically represented. She is at liberty to seek out her desires and search for love. It is my opinion that Charles II attempted to create the appearance of a stable monarchy. During the Restoration period, attending the theater and being able to discuss the latest plays was part of regular business for the modern man. In fact, the tradition of masks for the Carnevale came from the Italian theater form commedia dell'arte (Hughes 110). Angellica sets her hopes on romantic love, for her love free of commerce, thus becoming gullible and naive (Hughes 85). Another example of confused identity in socially constructed roles in the play occurs with the character Angellica. As a result, the King was under increasing pressure to change allegiance. In costume, Hellena flirts with Willmore, and the disguise prevents any real consequences for her in society. It is important to note that Behn wrote this play after the restoration of the monarchy. Being an outcast is the price she pays for fiscal independence, or rather sexual equality, in this patriarchal society. This pressure later resulted in the Glorious Revolution.
Common topics in this essay:
Hellena Florinda,
Carnevale Italian,
Charles II,
Belville Willmore,
Angellica Willmore,
Glorious Revolution,
Carnevale Latin,
Mardi Gras,
Louis XIV,
King Parliament,
hellena florinda,
woman sold,
virtuous woman,
charles ii,
gang rape,
romantic love,
restoration period,
political climate,
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Acceptance Essays
