In Aphra Behn’s story, “Oroonoko,” the characters each
have their specific role in the story. Two in particular caught my attention for
various reasons. Imoinda and the Prince’s characters both seem very loyal to
each other, in love, and wanting to only be with each other. When the King
sends the “Royal Veil” to her, she seems very saddened to go to him. The
preparation of the Royal Veil, and the calling of her to his bed seems like an
odd thing to do; but probably something normal for this time period. The King
seems smitten and impatient to want to have Imoinda with him in his bed, even
against her will:
“He
was therefore no sooner got to his Apartment, but he sent the Royal Veil to
Imoinda; that is, the Ceremony of Invitation: he sends the Lady, he has a Mind
to honour with his Bed, a Veil, with which she is cover’d, and secur’d for the
King’s Use; and ‘tis Death to disobey; besides, held a most impious
Disobedience.
‘Tis not to be imagin’d the Surprize and Grief that seid’d
this lovely Maid at this News and Sight. However, as Delays in these Cases are
dangerous, and Pleading worse than Treason; trembling, and almost fainting, she
was oblig’d to suffer her self to be cover’d, and led away.” (P. 207)
Imoinda’s character comes off as vulnerable, at least in
this case with the King beckonging her to his bed, to use her for his
pleasures, even against her will. The King makes it seem like it’s an “honour”
to be with him in his bed; where if she disobeyed him, she’d be killed. If she
tried to plead with him, it’s worse than treason. So either way, she is forced
to go see him. As a woman, I would not want to be beckoned to anyones bed,
especially against my will, so I can only imagine what she must have been going
through. She also seems like a loyal woman to the Prince because she would much
rather be with him, as the Prince seems like he only wants to be with her, too.
A theme I feel present in “Oroonoko” is that of
lonliness. The King seems lonely – he makes up for his lonliness by having many
wives and mistresses. He doesn’t want to be alone, obviously, so he seeks it
out in women. The Prince and Imoinda are lonely without each other; the Prince
getting upset not having her around and not wanting her to have to sleep and be
with the King, since they are married. Imoinda is lonely in the sense that
since she is being held captive and forced to be in bed with the King, when
really she just wants to be with the Prince.
Within this context, I, too, feel like I am a loyal
person. I am loyal to my boyfriend, my family, and places I’ve worked. I relate
to this story because I like the drama, the love, and the betrayal it has.
Although it was hard for me to get through the reading, since the way it’s
written baffles me, I still thought it was interesting. I was intrigued by the
King and how he needed so many women to satisfy him. Imoinda and the Prince
seemed to have a connection and like they hold a love for each other that is
hard to explain.
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