The Works of Aphra Behn, Volume V

"The Works of Aphra Behn, Volume V" by Aphra Behn is a collection of literary works written in the late 17th century. This volume features a mix of narratives, including stories of romance, adventure, and social commentary, showcasing Behn's unique voice and skill in drama and prose. Notable titles included within this compendium are "The Black Lady," "Oroonoko," and "Agnes de Castro," each reflecting the complexity of human relationships and the societal norms of her time. The opening of the volume begins with "The Adventure of the Black Lady," introducing the character of Bellamora, who arrives in London seeking her cousin, Madam Brightly. Struggling to find her cousin and losing her belongings in the process, Bellamora encounters a kind but discreet old lady who offers her shelter. As she confides in this lady about her turbulent past, including an unwanted pregnancy and her attempts to escape her uncle's oppressive control, we see glimpses of her innocence mixed with the harsh realities of love and betrayal. The narrative sets the stage for a deeper exploration of women’s roles and challenges in a patriarchal society. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Aphra Behn was an English playwright, poet, prose writer and translator from the Restoration era. As one of the first English women to earn her living by her writing, she broke cultural barriers and served as a literary role model for later generations of women authors. Rising from obscurity, she came to the notice of Charles II, who employed her as a spy in Antwerp. Upon her return to London and a probable brief stay in debtors' prison, she began writing for the stage. She belonged to a coterie of poets and famous libertines such as John Wilmot, Lord Rochester. Behn wrote under the pastoral pseudonym Astrea. During the turbulent political times of the Exclusion Crisis, she wrote an epilogue and prologue that brought her legal trouble; she thereafter devoted most of her writing to prose genres and translations. A staunch supporter of the Stuart line, Behn declined an invitation from Bishop Burnet to write a welcoming poem to the new king William III. She died shortly after.