Post 1 (The Relationship Between the Hamaca and War)

“They bow’d and kiss’d his Feet at this Resolution, and with one Accord vow’d to follow him to Death; and that Night was appointed to begin their March. They made it known to their Wives, and directed them to tie their Hamacas about their Shoulders, and under their Arms, like a Scarf and to lead their Children that could go, and carry those that could not” (Behn 63).

The Relationship Between the Hamaca and War

This passage surrounds the influential speech made by Tuscan, a strong supporter of Oroonoko and his plans to revolt. His speech culminates with the soldiers understanding that their efforts will lead to either liberation, or defeat. The troop returns home, and Behn mentions a specific action taken by the families of the soldiers: “And that night was appointed to begin their march; they made it known to their wives and directed them to tie their hamaca around their arm…” (Behn 63). Initially, I assumed the phrase “hamaca” to mean some sort of traditional cloth that would be associated with leaving for battle. However, after defining the phrase, it directly translates to hammock in English (OED). Although initially incorrect about what the phrase meant, this translation still describes the symbolic nature of the exchange. The hamaca was the domestic resting place for these individuals. Additionally, the hamaca served soldiers well as they traversed and slept in the crowded wooded regions that made up Surinam. By taking these items into battle, it was a symbolic representation that they would not be returning home. Regardless of what the outcome of this revolt would be (freedom or death seemed most likely) they would still not return home. This shifted my view of the passage, as I initially assumed that the hamaca would have a direct association with battle. Prior to this moment, although Oroonoko himself was praised graciously by the author, the understanding of himself and his peers was that they were subservient to the Dutch and English settlers present. Their revolt against the English and Dutch was discussed in terms of having negative, violent intentions. In reality, this situation is a display of the rich culture engaged by those occupying Surinam, rather than having an additional violent meaning. This idea made me begin to question the Behn’s intentions. Mainly, is she arguing that Oroonoko and his fellow Surinamese occupants should be criticized for this “violent” uprising, or should they be viewed for the cultural significance that their actions with the hamaca entail?

Works Cited

Behn, Aphra. Oroonoko. Broadview Press, 2020

"hammock, n." OED Online, Oxford University Press, December 2019, www.oed.com/view/Entry/83761. Accessed 20 February 2020.