WC Rover & Other Plays

Aphra Behn (1640–89) is presented here in a unified edition that gathers her most important comedies in a single volume: The Rover, The Feigned Courtesans, The Lucky Chance, and The Emperor of the Moon. The texts have been newly edited with modernized spelling and punctuation, under the General Editorship of Michael Cordner of the University of York. Detailed annotation helps readers visualize how these plays work on stage, and the Introduction highlights Behn’s skilful dramaturgy and her success as an entertainer. This edition is part of a long-standing series that makes classic literature accessible with accurate texts and scholarly support.

The edition emphasizes Behn’s range and wit, and provides apparatus to understand performance aspects, characters, and social context. The accompanying notes clarify language and stagecraft, supporting readers who approach the plays as both literature and live theatre. The work positions Behn within the tradition of English restoration comedy while underscoring her influence and enduring appeal.

Features

• Contains four plays: Rover; Feigned Courtesans; Lucky Chance; Emperor of the Moon
• Edited by Michael Cordner from University of York
• Modernized spelling and punctuation
• Detailed annotation to aid performance visualization
• 432 pages; paperback
• Oxford World’s Classics edition with scholarly features
• Includes introduction and notes