The Same But Different

After reading Aphra Behn's Oroonoko, I was struck by the honest and sympathetic portayal of Oroonoko. Behn describes him as a "noble Male" with a "real Greatness of Soul" and "Gallantry." These qualities are ones you would expect in a king and I feel Behn is trying to make the point that Oroonoko is suited to be a king, whether African or European. Just as William Shakespeare's Othello is as much about the nature of kingship as it is about the nature of race, Oroonoko explores the ways living as a member of royalty affects relationships and romance.

Oroonoko deeply loves the beautiful Imoinda. Unfortunately, his grandfather, the king, wants Imoinda also. Because of the customs and privileges allowed the king, it is Imoinda's "Duty" and "honour" to be with the king once she receives the "Royal Veil." Even though Imoinda is betrothed to Oroonoko, "she is secured for the King's use and 'tis Death to disobey." This forced compliance of the king's wishes parallels the way the British colonies are ruled; the king gets what he wants or else. (In the immortal words of Mel Brooks, "It's good to be the king.")

Even though the characters in Behn's novel share similarities to her audience, their blackness sets them apart from the reader. Behn tries to alleviate some of the distance between character and reader by describing Oroonoko and Imoinda in a way that down plays their differences:

"The most famous Statuary cou'd not form the Figure of a Man more admirably turn'd from head to foot...His Nose was rising and Roman, instead of African and flat. His Mouth, the finest shap'd that could be seen...The whole Proportion and Air of his Face was so noble, and exactly form'd, that, bating his Colour, there cou'd be nothing in Nature more beautiful, agreeable, and handsome."

"[Imoinda] was Female to the noble Male; the beautiful Black Venus to our young Mars; as charming in her Person as he, and of delicate Virtues."

Behn's descriptions of her characters are necessary if she wants her audience to be sympathetic to these characters. Her descriptions highlight the fact these characters are the same as anyone else except their skin is black. Their blackness is just a color that has not been considered beautiful. Without her reader's sympathies, Behn would not be able to get her message out that she finds slavery intolerable and cruel. These anti-slavery messages makes Oroonoko much more than a romance tale.

Whether Behn's story is true, as indicated in the full title, is often questioned by critics. Even if this story is not true, the basic story line of would-be princes suffering a fate similar to Oroonoko are true. Thousands of African men and women were plucked from their homeland and forced into slavery. Their identities were taken from them, they were separated from family, and they became someone's property. Living conditions were often horrendous and punishments severe. These punishments are the reason Oroonoko fears his wife and unborn child will suffer the slow death of slavery and decides to end their lives. The cruel and inhumane death that awaits Oroonoko is proof his fears for his family were warranted.

Oroonoko is a powerful story that is disturbing and thought provoking. Did anyone else find it sad to see Oroonoko being betrayed by people he had trusted? First of all it was his own grandfather lusting after Imoinda and then the English captain who tricked him into slavery. Does this send a message to the reader that you cannot trust anyone?