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Hannibal in Oroonoko
"But if there were a Woman among them so degenerate from Love and Virtue, to chuse Slavery before the Pursuit of her Husband, and with the Hazard of her Life, to share with him in his Fortunes; that such a one ought to be abandoned, and left as a Prey to the common Enemy.’
To which they all agreed—and bowed. After this, he spoke of the impassable Woods and Rivers; and convinced them, the more Danger the more Glory. He told them that, he had heard of one Hannibal, a great Captain, had cut his Way through Mountains of solid Rocks; and should a few Shrubs oppose them, which they could fire before ’em? No, ’twas a trifling Excuse to Men resolved to die, or overcome. As for Bogs, they are with a little Labour filled and harden’d; and the Rivers could be no Obstacle, since they swam by Nature, at least by Custom, from the first Hour of their Birth: That when the Children were weary, they must carry them by Turns, and the Woods and their own Industry would afford them Food. To this they all assented with Joy.
Tuscan then demanded, what he would do: He said he would travel towards the Sea, plant a new Colony, and defend it by their Valour; and when they could find a Ship, either driven by Stress of Weather, or guided by Providence that Way, they would seize it, and make it a Prize, till it had transported them to their own Countries: at least they should be made free in his Kingdom, and be esteem’d as his Fellow-Sufferers, and Men that had the Courage and the Bravery to attempt, at least, for Liberty; and if they died in the Attempt, it would be more brave, than to live in perpetual Slavery.
They bow’d and kiss’d his Feet at this Resolution, and with one Accord vowed to follow him to Death; and that 193 Night was appointed to begin their March. They made it known to their Wives, and directed them to tie their hamaca about their Shoulders, and under their Arms, like a Scarf and to lead their Children that could go, and carry those that could not. The Wives, who pay an entire Obedience to their Husbands, obey’d, and stay’d for ’em where they were appointed: The Men stay’d but to furnish themselves with what defensive Arms they could get; and all met at the rendezvous, where Caesar made a new encouraging Speech to ’em and led ’em out."
Hannibal was a Carthigian captain of the Iberian peninsula in 229 BC who conducted a military invasion of Italy through the Alps. He is widely considered one the greatest military tacticians in all history. The use of the name Hannibal in this passage, whose tale Oroonoko uses to rally the spirits of his men, is indicative of Behn’s narrative to promote Oroonoko, now called Caesar by his slaver and the author, as a man of European quality and therefore of British colonial interest. Behn includes this speech given by Caesar to bolster the idea that even a black slave can be uplifted by studying the classics. His nobility is enhanced further by his skill at transferring this history of a great european captain to his men, a sign that even a people normally considered godless and irredeemable can attain at least some modicum of value and virtue if they become like the good Christians of Britain. This agrees with her description of Oroonoko’s physical appearance, which also reminds her of his affinity for european qualities. This close reading enhances our initial view of the purpose of the text. The incorporation of this figure from classical history is likely very relevant to the teachings of her audience, helping her relate to and persuade them into seeing her line of thought. Perhaps even more importantly, this reference also indirectly likens Caesar to Hannibal, a legendary figure. This comparison would certainly increase British interest in the New World, and would entice their journey here with tales of wonder and spectacle to match even the classics themselves. I believe this reading is beneficial to understanding the passage because it demonstrates further how intent Behn is to sell her book and promote colonialism. This reading shows how the dominant culture can take an interest in the new only when it is close to the familiar world the audience inhabits.
Hannibal was a Carthigian captain of the Iberian peninsula in 229 BC who conducted a military invasion of Italy through the Alps. He is widely considered one the greatest military tacticians in all history. The use of the name Hannibal in this passage, whose tale Oroonoko uses to rally the spirits of his men, is indicative of Behn’s narrative to promote Oroonoko, now called Caesar by his slaver and the author, as a man of European quality and therefore of British colonial interest. Behn includes this speech given by Caesar to bolster the idea that even a black slave can be uplifted by studying the classics. His nobility is enhanced further by his skill at transferring this history of a great european captain to his men, a sign that even a people normally considered godless and irredeemable can attain at least some modicum of value and virtue if they become like the good Christians of Britain. This agrees with her description of Oroonoko’s physical appearance, which also reminds her of his affinity for european qualities. This close reading enhances our initial view of the purpose of the text. The incorporation of this figure from classical history is likely very relevant to the teachings of her audience, helping her relate to and persuade them into seeing her line of thought. Perhaps even more importantly, this reference also indirectly likens Caesar to Hannibal, a legendary figure. This comparison would certainly increase British interest in the New World, and would entice their journey here with tales of wonder and spectacle to match even the classics themselves. I believe this reading is beneficial to understanding the passage because it demonstrates further how intent Behn is to sell her book and promote colonialism. This reading shows how the dominant culture can take an interest in the new only when it is close to the familiar world the audience inhabits.
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