Oroonoko Explored
African Kingship
In the first half of Oroonoko, the reader is given a fair description of what African kingship looks like in the kingdom of Coramantien. Even though the kingdom itself is fictional, its entire culture is based in a great deal of historical truth. African kingship is no different, and Behn relies on familiar knowledge of West African kingdoms. Kings were often considered divine, and they demanded a great deal of respect and obedience from their subjects. For example, in the West African Kingdoms of Whydah and Benin, English visitors were impressed with “the great reverence” given to these kings by their people (Rogers 4). And this kind of respect moved hierarchal throughout their society, so that inferiors would kneel before social superiors and kiss the ground three times to show their deference.
Prempeh I King of Ashante Confederacy
The authority of the king was therefore unquestioned, and Behn is correct in that most West African kings enjoyed having many wives and concubines, choosing women to join his harem or seraglio on a whim. Imoinda’s experience in being summoned to the king, and being put into a separate household, demonstrates the kind of royal authority that even Oroonoko could not properly challenge.