Betrayal from All Sides in Aphra Behn’s Oroonoko
Betrayal from all Sides in Aphra Behn’s Oroonoko
Trust is the basis of all human collaboration; without it, our world wouldn’t exist as we know it. Infants start learning to trust as soon as they open their eyes. Children develop based on their environment and are sometimes programmed to trusting everyone around them. This often occurs when children spend a lot of time at home and are not exposed to outsiders. In the case of Aphra Behn’s Oroonoko, Oroonoko is a prince and as a result is taken care of impeccably. Unfortunately, this can lead to many people trusting too often and consequently pay for their child-like tendencies. Individuals take advantage of the trust others may have for them. This betrayal sometimes influences others to never trust again, unfortunately, in Oroonoko, the royal slave is betrayed continuously, yet still continues to believe others are being truthful. Betrayal effects the victim greatly and often leads to the need for justice. The series of unfortunate betrayals of Oroonoko eventually lead to his unfortunate physical and psychological demise.
Family is considered the most sacred relationship by most people. Families are never supposed to hurt one another. Oroonoko was unfortunately dealt horrible cards as his own grandfather, the King, committed the greatest of all betrayals. Not only was Oroonoko his family, he forced him into the worst fate for anyone of that time. The King’s betrayal of Oroonoko began when the king fell in love with the beautiful Imoinda. Imoinda and Oroonoko were deeply in love at the time. Even though the King had known about their relationship, he gave Imoinda the royal veil which she could not refuse. Like many in love couples, Oroonoko and Imoinda could not keep apart. The King found out about their secret visit and that Imoinda’s loss of her virginity, this initiated the King’s disloyalty to his family. Instead of killing the two, he sent Imoinda off to slavery (slavery being
Trust is the basis of all human collaboration; without it, our world wouldn’t exist as we know it. Infants start learning to trust as soon as they open their eyes. Children develop based on their environment and are sometimes programmed to trusting everyone around them. This often occurs when children spend a lot of time at home and are not exposed to outsiders. In the case of Aphra Behn’s Oroonoko, Oroonoko is a prince and as a result is taken care of impeccably. Unfortunately, this can lead to many people trusting too often and consequently pay for their child-like tendencies. Individuals take advantage of the trust others may have for them. This betrayal sometimes influences others to never trust again, unfortunately, in Oroonoko, the royal slave is betrayed continuously, yet still continues to believe others are being truthful. Betrayal effects the victim greatly and often leads to the need for justice. The series of unfortunate betrayals of Oroonoko eventually lead to his unfortunate physical and psychological demise.
Family is considered the most sacred relationship by most people. Families are never supposed to hurt one another. Oroonoko was unfortunately dealt horrible cards as his own grandfather, the King, committed the greatest of all betrayals. Not only was Oroonoko his family, he forced him into the worst fate for anyone of that time. The King’s betrayal of Oroonoko began when the king fell in love with the beautiful Imoinda. Imoinda and Oroonoko were deeply in love at the time. Even though the King had known about their relationship, he gave Imoinda the royal veil which she could not refuse. Like many in love couples, Oroonoko and Imoinda could not keep apart. The King found out about their secret visit and that Imoinda’s loss of her virginity, this initiated the King’s disloyalty to his family. Instead of killing the two, he sent Imoinda off to slavery (slavery being
Cited: Behn, Aphra (2010-09-21). Kindle Edition.