Oroonoko, a novel by Aphra Behn, explores themes of love, betrayal, and the brutal realities of slavery through the story of its titular character, a royal African prince. Set in the 17th century, the narrative follows Oroonoko's journey from his noble beginnings to his tragic fate as a slave in Surinam. Behn's work is notable for its early critique of colonialism and its vivid portrayal of the complexities of human emotion. This edition is essential for students and fans of classic literature, providing insights into the historical context and literary significance of Behn's writing.

Key Points

  • Explores the themes of love, betrayal, and slavery through the character of Oroonoko.
  • Set in the 17th century, detailing Oroonoko's journey from prince to slave.
  • Critiques colonialism and highlights the emotional depth of its characters.
  • Aphra Behn's work is significant for its early feminist perspectives and narrative style.
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Oroonoko
or, The Royal Slave. A True History
Aphra Behn
editie Philip Henderson
bron
Aphra Behn, Oroonoko. In: Philip Henderson (ed.), Shorter Novels: Seventeenth Century. Dent,
Londen 1967, pp. 145-224.
Zie voor verantwoording: https://www.dbnl.org/tekst/behn001oroo01_01/colofon.php
Let op: boeken en tijdschriftjaargangen die korter dan 140 jaar geleden verschenen zijn, kunnen
auteursrechtelijk beschermd zijn. Welke vormen van gebruik zijn toegestaan voor dit werk of delen
ervan, lees je in de gebruiksvoorwaarden.
146
Aphra. or Afra, Aphara, Ayfara, Behn (1640-89)
Whether Mrs. Behn was born at Canterbury or Wye is not certain. Nor is it certain
whether her maiden name was Johnson or Amis. It is now also contested whether
she ever went out to Surinam, of which, we are told by her earliest biographer, her
father was appointed Governor-General. But upon investigation it has been discovered
that there is no evidence of anyone of either the name of Johnson or Amis being so
appointed. It is believed, on good authority, that Mrs. Behn collected the ‘facts’ and
the local colour, which is inaccurate in some points, for her novel Oroonoko from
books and acquaintances in London. In 1664 she married a merchant of Dutch
extraction who died two years afterwards, presumably in the Plague. She was sent
in 1666 by Charles II (with whom we are told she was a favourite) as secret agent
to the Netherlands during the Dutch war, but her report of De Witt's intention to sail
up the Thames was laughed to scorn. On her return to England, she was imprisoned
for debt, the king refusing to pay even the expenses she had incurred in his service.
She was released after a short confinement and began writing plays for a living, her
first play, The Forc'd Marriage, being performed in 1670. She became thereafter
very successful as a writer of witty comedy, of which The Rover (1677) is a good
example. Her contribution to the popular vilification of the Puritans is represented
in The Roundheads (1682), and before her death she herself became the centre of
much scandal, and it is only quite recently that critics have dealt with her at all fairly.
She was the first woman to earn her living by the pen.
Her bibliography is as follows:
Plays: The Forc'd Marriage, 1670. The Amorous Prince, 1671. The Dutch Lover,
1673. Abdelazar, 1677. The Rover, 1677. The Debauchee, 1677. The Town Fop,
1677. Sir Patient Fancy, 1678. The Rover, Part II, 1681. The Roundheads, 1682. The
City Heiress, 1682. The False Count, 1682. The Young King, 1683. The Lucky Chance,
1687. The Emperor of the Moon, 1687. Collected Plays, 1702. Novels and pamphlets:
The Adventures of the Black Lady, 1684. La Montre, or the Lover's Watch, 1686.
Lycidas, 1688. The Lucky Mistake, 1689. Novels and Histories (including) Oroonoko,
The Fair Jilt, The Nun, Agnes de Castro, and The Court of King Bantam, 1698.
Poetical Remains, ed. by Gildon, 1689.
Criticism: Hunt, Goss, V. Sackville-West, Jerrold. See also the chapter on Mrs
Behn and her type of novel in Dr. Ernest Baker's History of the English Novel, vol.
iii.
Aphra Behn, Oroonoko
147
Oroonoko: or The History of the Royal Slave
I DO not pretend, in giving you the history of this royal slave, to entertain my reader
with adventures of a feign'd hero, whose life and fortunes fancy may manage at the
poet's pleasure; nor in relating the truth, design to adorn it with any accidents, but
such as arrived in earnest to him: And it shall come simply into the world,
recommended by its own proper merits, and natural intrigues; there being enough of
reality to support it, and to render it diverting, without the addition of invention.
I was myself an eye-witness to a great part of what you will find here set down;
and what I cou'd not be witness of, I receiv'd from the mouth of the chief actor in
this history, the hero himself, who gave us the whole transactions of his youth: And
though I shall omit, for brevity's sake, a thousand little accidents of his life, which,
however pleasant to us, where history was scarce, and adventures very rare, yet might
prove tedious and heavy to my reader, in a world where he finds diversions for every
minute, new and strange. But we who were perfectly charm'd with the character of
this great man, were curious to gather every circumstance of his life.
The scene of the last part of his adventures lies in a colony in America, called
Surinam, in the West-Indies.
But before I give you the story of this gallant slave, 'tis fit I tell you the manner
of bringing them to these new colonies; those they make use of there, not being
natives of the place: for those we live with in perfect
Aphra Behn, Oroonoko
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FAQs

What is the main plot of Oroonoko?
Oroonoko follows the story of a noble African prince who is betrayed and sold into slavery. After being taken to Surinam, he faces the harsh realities of enslavement while longing for his beloved Imoinda. The novel explores his struggles against the injustices of colonialism and his quest for freedom, culminating in a tragic ending that highlights the brutal consequences of slavery.
Who is the protagonist of Oroonoko?
The protagonist of Oroonoko is Oroonoko himself, a royal prince of Africa who embodies nobility and honor. His character is marked by his deep love for Imoinda and his fierce resistance against the injustices he faces as a slave. Oroonoko's journey reflects the complexities of human dignity and the impact of colonialism on personal identity.
What themes are explored in Oroonoko?
Oroonoko explores several profound themes, including love, honor, betrayal, and the inhumanity of slavery. The novel critiques the moral and ethical implications of colonialism, highlighting the suffering inflicted on enslaved individuals. Additionally, it delves into the conflict between personal integrity and societal oppression, making it a significant work in both literary and historical contexts.
How does Aphra Behn portray colonialism in Oroonoko?
Aphra Behn portrays colonialism in Oroonoko as a destructive force that dehumanizes individuals and disrupts cultures. Through Oroonoko's experiences, the novel critiques the exploitation and brutality of the slave trade, revealing the moral failings of European colonizers. Behn's narrative serves as an early commentary on the injustices of colonialism, emphasizing the need for empathy and understanding.

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