Oroonoko: Christ like Resemblance?
Oroonoko is a splendid novel in which tells the story of a royal slave. Throughout the story there are many similarities between Oroonoko and Christ. He is often referred to as a Christ figure with his dismemberment resembling the crucifixion. In this essay I will explore the resemblances’ throughout the novel which support this theory of Oroonoko being a Christ like figure.
The first similarity I found between Oroonoko and Jesus was their ability to lead a group of people. Jesus was known as “The King of the Jews” (Luke 23:38). Orronoko was the leader of the slaves on the plantation which he lived. The other slaves looked up to him and even referred to him as “King” (Behn). When Orronoko visited the slave houses they cried out “Live, O King! Long live, O King!” (Behn) while they kissed his feet, much like when the women kissed Jesus’ feet showing her love and adoration for him as well as respect and subordination (Luke 7:37-39).
Another similarity I found occurred during his death was when Oroonoko blessed the men who bound him and prepared him for death saying “A blessing on thee” (Behn). This reminded me of how Jesus when being crucified cried out to God and said “Father forgive them; for they know not what they do.”(Luke 23:34) This was the biggest similarity, both Christ and Oroonoko wanted
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Orronoko had his ears, nose, and arm without making a sound, once his second arm was cut off he died or “gave up the ghost” (Behn). Jesus was tortured for days, they plucked his beard hair, made him carry the cross, wear a crown of thorns, and nailed his hands and feet to the cross to hang and suffer. Jesus had his mother in the crowd as well as many friends and followers that could not save him. Oroonoko also had his followers and friends in the audience while he was killed and not one called out for him to be
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