The Disappointment Aphra Behn

NAWEED ANJUM

Homosexuality and Transgender in Literature

The Disappointment – Aphra Behn

I.

One day the amorous Lysander,

By an impatient passion swayed,

Surprised fair Cloris, that loved maid,

Who could defend herself no longer.

All things did with his love conspire;

The gilded planet of the day,

In his gay chariot drawn by fire,

Was now descending to the sea,

And left no light to guide the world,

But what from Cloris' brighter eyes was hurled.

II.

In a lone thicket made for love,

Silent as a yielding maid's consent,

She with a charming languishment,

Permits his force, yet gently strove;

Her hands his bosom softly meet,

But not to put him back designed,

Rather to draw him on inclined;

Whilst he lay trembling at her feet,

Resistance 'tis in vain to show;

She wants the power to say -- 'Ah! What d'ye do?'

III.

Her bright eyes sweet, and yet severe,

Where love and shame confusedly strive,

Fresh vigour to Lysander give;

And breathing faintly in his ear,

She cried -- 'Cease, cease -- your vain desire,

Or I'll call out -- what would you do?

My dearer honour even to you

I cannot, must not give -- retire,

Or take this life, whose chiefest part

I gave you with the conquest of my heart.'

Aphra Behn, a pioneer in women’s writing, was born in an era that was well behind her. Behn and her writing from the moment she started went against the norms of society and she was able to get out of it fairly unscathed. Behn wrote about topics that were considered off limits, for women at least, and talked about certain idea that would have led anyone person living in her time to think that perhaps she is a little crazy. From “The Golden Age”, a work where she mentions the world would be better off without men, to her poem “The Disappointment” Behn uses a wide variety of technique and skills to make sure that her readers are left with a great idea of how society viewed women and their...