Post 1

The European Fantasy in Africa

Footnote on pg. 34, approx. “…limits I had prescribed him.”

Behn’s historical inaccuracies in descriptions of African traditions and war such as this could originate from many sources, both intentional and accidental, that act as evidence in historical exploration and a deeper reading of the novel.

From George Abbot’s 1599 Briefe Description of the Whole Worlde [shortened title], contemporary readers learn of Africa that “FRom beyond the hils Atlas maior, vnto the South of Africa is nothing almost in antiquitie worthy the reading, and those things which are written for the most part are fables.” He, and other similar accounts, grant Africa no valuable history until European involvement, leaving space for readers to fill in their own political, extravagant, or whimsical lifestyle.

Benh’s descriptions of African life and culture, here and otherwise, contrast starkly against the historical foundation known in present day. Behn writes a fanciful and Europeanized description of African life, with attitudes towards love and war that are equally unrealistic. However, the descriptions available to her in writing and common knowledge were scant at best, as Abbot flatly admits.

The referenced writings of war setups, losses, and tactics recall scenes from English histories and other politically motivated plays. These can be found in works from multiple authors that one can assume would be familiar to Behn and her contemporaries at the time. As Abbot states, the knowledge of African traditions in these areas was middling at best and deemed of little interest or import. Accuracy was of no interest compared to entertainment or flattery and could be easily replaced with whatever appealed to current political leaders or served to tickle the public’s fancy—keeping good graces and making a living were closely tied motivations. It is crucial to investigate where these inaccuracies come from and why they appear, for the benefit of historical understanding and to better understand Behn’s writing and motivations.

Works Cited

Abbot, George, 1562-1633. A Briefe Description of the Whole Worlde Wherein are Particularly Described all the Monarchies, Empires, and Kingdomes of the Same, with their Seuerall ] Titles and Situations Thereunto Adioyning. London, Printed by T. Iudson, for Iohn ] Browne, and are to be sould at the signe of the Bible in Fleete-streete, 1599. ProQuest, https://search.proquest.com/docview/2240902680?accountid=14696.

Behn, Aphra. Oroonoko. Penguin Books, 2003, pp. 34.