An annotated passage from Oroonoko exploring Oroonoko's feeling about being enslaved

An annotated passage from Oroonoko exploring Oroonoko's feeling about being enslaved

Aphra Behn

Behn, Aphra, and Janet Todd. Oroonoko. Penguin Books, 2003.

Penguin Books

Originally published in 1688. Penguin published in 2003

Andrew Jenkins

text

“It may be easily guessed in what manner the prince resented this indignity, who may be best resembled by a lion taken in a toil; so he raged, so he struggled for liberty, but all in vain; and they had so wisely managed his fetters that he could not use a hand in his defense to quit himself of a lfe that would by no means endure slavery, nor could he move from the place where he was tied to any solid part of the ship agaisnt which he might have beat his head and have furnished his disgrace that way; so that being deprived of all other means, he resolved to perish for want of food. And pleased at last with that thought, and toiled and tired bu rage and indignation, he laid himself down, and sullenly resolved upon dying, and refused all things that were brought him.”