Topic > Virtue in Oroonoko (The Royal Slave) by Aphra Behn

The story, Oroonoko; or, The Royal Slave, written by Aphra Behn, describes the main character, Oroonoko, as an African prince living among his people, who abide by a code of virtue and loyalty. When Oroonoko faces a dilemma in her country and lives in a “civilized” white society composed of devout Christians, she is faced with the burden of upholding her code of virtue and maintaining the title of “Noble Savage” means of loyalty, religious beliefs and honor. Oroonoko is able to uphold his code of virtue and loyalty by showing an act of true loyalty that demonstrates his devotion and love to his lover and wife, Imoinda. After the king, Oroonoko's grandfather, vigorously takes Imoinda for himself, Oroonoko must decide whether to end her romance or prove her loyalty to Imoinda. He chooses to go against the king and have Imoinda for one more night, even if its consequence is death: you can imagine how welcome this news was to Oroonoko, whose unseasonable carriage and caress towards Imoinda was accused from all the men who loved him; and now...