Aphra Behn's Oroonoko Gender Roles

The depiction of "Empire" was often used in plays throughout the 17th century. This may involve kings and queens, social classes and monetary gain or the presence of slavery. Some plays of this era may have even shown the theme of Empire receding in the background as the audience or reader gets caught up in the details of the plot and character. However, conditions of Empire lay much of the foundation. One thing is for sure, within the depiction of Empire it was clear that women are seen as a major power within the Empire. Making use of the Thomas Southerne’s Oroonoko, Aphra Behn’s Widow Rater and

In her play Widow Ranter, Aphra Behn takes quite a solid approach in disrupting the social order by empowering women. She presents the women with

General Bacon is met with a conflict of interest when he falls head over heels for the Indian Queen although he is seeking revenge for Indian attacks on Jamestown. He accidentally kills her while she is concealed in male clothing; once he realizes what he has done he kills himself as well. Semernia's success in disgusiging as a male was so convincing that she was able to deceive the man who loves her. This is significant because it demonstrates the natural occurrence of a woman fulfilling a man's role. Semernia also succeeds in the destruction of a man through her own death. This illustrates the immense influence and power that Behn had endowed females with. Bacon was so captivated by Semeria that he could not exist without her.

Thomas Southerne’s play discussed the life of Oroonoko who was an African prince turned slave in Suriname. He was characterized as a man of truth, honor and noble qualities. He showed her complete devotion to his wife Imoinda. Even when he was tempted by the idea of beautiful slave Clemene he did not falter. He proclaims his complete commitment to his wife stating

“I have a Heart: But if it could be false, To my first Vows ever to love again, Those honest Hands shall tear it from my

They speak to each other with such adoration and passion. While he held captive Oroonoko attempted to lead a slave revolt in hope to save his pregnant wife Imoinda and preserve his family. In the end Oroonoko realizes that the only way to do so is to rid himself and his family from the hardship of slavery. The Weldon sisters Charolette and Lucy were femine figure who were very present in the play. They were in Suriname trying to find husbands. In order to gain a monetary advantage Charolette devises a plan to dress up as a man named Weldon to marry a wealthy Widow named Lackitt. Once they are married and she is given the money she intended to fake Weldon’s death, come back as her female self, pretending to be his cousin and take the money. Charolette ends up telling the truth about her disguise. Even with all the lies she ends up securing a husband to be. This mesh of tragedy and comedy is known as tragicomedy. It was a genre popular during the Restoration period. Slavery, Race and Gender were evident themes in this play. The cruelty of slavery is vividly depicted in this play. Though Oroonoko himself was not treated badly Aboan, Imoinda and the other slaves were. Their act of suicide showed that death was a way better option than to be living life as a slave. It also showed that Oroonoko was so devoted to his wife that he would rather spare her from the hardship that slavery presented.