Aphra
Behn, “Oroonoko” (198-224)
Aphra
Behn (198-199):
- · She is the first professional woman writer in England.
- · According to Virginia Woolf, she gave woman “the right to speak their minds”. (198)
- · She wrote plays, longer epistolary fiction, novellas, and poetry.
- · She was associated with libertines and freethinkers and also might have possibly been a spy in Holland for the English. Code name: “Astrea”.
- · She married a German merchant named Johannes Behn, but it did not last long.
- · Her political sympathies typically tied in with that of the king.
- · She had strong ties to the monarchy.
- · Oroonoko’s first-person narrator identified with the author Behn.
- · Her story “Oroonoko” covers slavery.
“Oroonoko” (200-224)
Character
List:
1)
Oroonoko
(or Caesar)
·
African Prince
·
Heroic
·
His social status as a prince is very
important and mentioned often.
·
Very honorable
·
His love for Imoinda seems to be a motivating
factor. However, his loves seems to throw him for a loop often by doing things
that can cause danger. For example, “he caught her in his Arms as she fell; and
‘twas visible to the whole presence, the Joy wherewith he received her: He clasp’d
her close to his Bosom” (213). He put her and himself in danger by holding the
old King's Mistress because it was considered a “disobedient Offense” towards the King and that
action is considered for punishment.
·
In general, his love for Imoinda puts
him at risk often throughout the story.
2)
Imoinda
·
Oroonoko loves this woman.
·
Considered to be extremely beautiful.
·
She seems to switch between courageous
and obedient\scared because of the King’s rage, power and jealousy or because
of what could happen to Oroonoko because of her actions. So just like Oroonoko,
her love seems to be a motivating factor but also puts her at risk because of
her longing for him. For example, “they should both be sold off, as Slaves” (215).
Due to her love for another man, she was sold off to be a slave on orders by
the King, bringing down another along with her (Onohal).
3)
The
Old King
·
His word is practically law.
·
He is around 100 years old.
·
He pines after Imoinda with lust.
·
He is often seen as an evil and cruel
character.
·
He is King of Coramantien.
·
His jealousy and rage knows no bounds.
For example, “jealous to the last degree, rose up in Rage, broke all the
Diversion, and led Imoinda to her apartment, and sent out word to the Prince,
to go immediately to the Camp” (213). He interrupts everything going on around
him just to satisfy his own anger.
·
His lust and cruelty is so awful that he
even takes Imoinda away from her love, Oroonoko knowing full well that they were
in love.
Important
Character Attributes:
·
The characters all seem to have attraction and love as
important attributes. However, love has a broad range in this story. Both Imoinda and Oroonoko’s love motivate each other and stay’s strong through the
story so far. But they both put each other at risk. The King’s love is
different to the others. In fact, I would not even call it love. I would call
it lust because he simply just wants to own Imoinda, not love and cherish her.
This makes Imoinda the center of the problem’s that arose so far.
·
The characters social status also seems to be an important
attribute. The old King’s status as King of Coramantien puts him above the
others. This makes his word absolute. Whereas, Oroonoko’s status is that of a
Prince, but it does not put him above everyone like the King. He is limited, like
Imoinda; to where he must listen to the King’s orders.
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