Aphra Behn

Oroonoko, Or; The Royal Slave Aphra Behn

A prince falls in love with a woman seems like a simple plot scenario, but Oroonoko, or the Royal Slave is not a simple story. A prince does fall in love with a woman, Imoinda; but so does the prince's grandfather, the king. The King commands Imoinda to his harem with no regard for her marriage to Oroonoko. After a failed attempt at escape, Imoinda is sold as a slave. Her love, Oroonoko, is told that she is killed and has no idea his love is still alive. Oroonoko throws himself into battle, but is later betrayed, captured, and sold into slavery. Oroonoko is sent to the same plantation where Imoinda serves. Will they find each other? Will she still be his love? Aphra Behn is a first among women to be recognized solely as an authoress. She led an exciting life as a spy, but later ends up in debtor's prison. At that time, she turned to writing as her rescue. She enjoyed great prominence, initially as a writer for the stage. After some legal troubles regarding her works about the current political climate, she redirected her attention to translating works and fiction. She is buried at Westminster Abbey, but oddly not with other poets, but near the steps to the church.