Oroonoko’s Honorable Downfall - 1433 Words

Before even opening the book, the reader is hit with the paradox of the title, Oroonoko or the Royal Slave. This is already problematic since royalty are highly privileged people who do not end up in dire straits—much less slavery. Aphra Behn presents many paradoxes in her text Oroonoko or the Royal Slave. One of the many paradoxes she utilizes is the one that applies to her hero, Oroonoko; he is an honorable hero, who is also a naà ¯ve fool. Oroonoko was born into royalty and led a career as a valiant and just warrior. Reared for this life, Oroonoko has a character that is intrinsically honorable following his code of loyalty and honesty. His code of honor and love of truth is admirable, but it leads him being betrayed throughout the narrative. This all-or-nothing type of characteristic of Oroonoko is what led to his death because he could not bend. Oroonoko is presented to the reader from the beginning as being a fine man who is extremely brave, Behn writes, â€Å"[T]he most illustrious courts could not have produced a braver man, both for greatness of courage and mind, a judgment more solid, a wit more quick† (12). He gains the role of general after his mentor takes a fatal wound protecting Oroonoko. This shows how much adoration Oroonoko held with his people, even the general. It is through this he decides to return to court to honor the late general’s daughter with the slaves won in the battle. He falls in love with Imoinda and decides to pledge his life to her.Show MoreRelatedCompare And Contrast Sir Gawain And The Green Knight1235 Words   |  5 Pagesthe qualities is a different story. For example, Sir Gawain and The Green Knight, author unknown and Oroonoko by Aphra Behn are two works where the protagonists are comparable. For example, both men are on a dangerous journey, a woman starts their downfall, and lastly, both put their trust in the wrong people. However, they differ in many factor; the main one however, is that Sir Gawain is a knight and Oroonoko is a prince. Sir Gawain and The Green Knight takes place during a New Year’s Eve party.