Oroonoko
Critique • Quotes
First editionAlso known as
Oroonoko; or, The Royal Slave
First publication
1688
Literature form
Novella
Genres
Literary
Writing language
English
Author's country
England
Length
Approx. 26,500 words
Notable lines
I do not pretend, in giving you the history of this Royal Slave, to entertain my reader with adventures of a feigned hero, whose life and fortunes fancy may manage at the poet's pleasure....
— First line
But punishments hereafter are suffered by one's self; and the world takes no cognizance whether this God have revenged 'em, or not, 'tis done so secretly, and deferred so long: while the man of no honour suffers every moment the scorn and contempt of the honester world, and dies every day ignominiously in his fame, which is more valuable than life.
Thus died this great man, worthy of a better fate, and a more sublime wit than mine to write his praise: yet, I hope, the reputation of my pen is considerable enough to make his glorious name to survive to all ages, with that of the brave, the beautiful, and the constant Imoinda.
— Last line
Critique • Quotes
