What is the Significance of Oroonoko’s Slave Name?
Oroonoko is a notable literary work by Aphra Behn. A complete discussion of this literary work is given, which will help you enhance your literary skills and prepare for the exam. Read the Main texts, Key info, Summary, Themes, Characters, Literary devices, Quotations, Notes, and various study materials of Oroonoko.
Answer
What is the significance of Oroonoko’s slave name?
Aphra Behn’s (1640-1689) “Oroonoko” (1688) shows the terrible reality of slavery. In this novella, Oroonoko, an African prince, is betrayed and captured as a slave. He is sold to Suriname in a plantation. The white slave owners give Oroonoko a new name, “Caesar.” This name is very important in the story.
Loss of Identity: When Oroonoko is taken as a slave, he loses his freedom and also his real name. A name is part of a person’s identity. By removing his real name and calling him “Caesar,” the white men try to remove his true identity. In Suriname, Oroonoko is no longer a prince, leader, or a free man; rather, he is a property of the white colonists. We also understand this from Oroonoko’s speech:
“We are bought and sold … to be the sport of women, fools, and cowards.”
This means that slaves are bought and sold as objects. Their sole purpose is to entertain their owners.
A Symbol of Power: The name “Caesar” was the name of the great Roman emperor, Julius Caesar. The white men give him this name because they see Oroonoko’s noble and royal nature. They also see that he is brave, honest, and has leadership qualities. Even though they try to reduce him to a slave, the name “Caesar” still reminds people of his royal spirit.
Irony and Hypocrisy: The name “Caesar” is also ironic. In history, Caesar was a ruler, but here, Oroonoko is made a slave with the same name. It shows the hypocrisy of the white men. They call him by a great name but treat him with cruelty.
In short, the slave name “Caesar” is significant because it shows the loss of Oroonoko’s identity. This slave name also gives us an idea of the cruelty slavery system. We understand that slavery is dehumanizing.