The king, enraged at this delay, hastily demanded the name…
““The king, enraged at this delay, hastily demanded the name of the bold man that had married a woman of her degree without his consent. Imoinda, seeing his eyes fierce, and his hands tremble, whether with a age or anger, I know not, but she fancied the last, almost repented she had said so much, for now she feared the storm would fall on the prince; she therefore said a thousand things to appease the raging of his flame, and to prepare him to hear who it was with calmness; but before she spoke, he imagined who she meant, but would not seem to do so, but commanded her to lay aside her mantle and suffer herself to receive his caresses; or, by his gods, he swore, that happy man whom she was going to name should die, though it were even Oroonoko himself. 'Therefore,' said he, 'deny this marriage, and swear thyself a maid.' 'That,' replied Imoinda, 'by all our powers I do, for I am not yet known to my husband.' 'Tis enough,' said the king, 'tis enough to satisfy both my conscience, and my heart.' And rising from his seat, he went and led her into the bath, it being in vain for her to resist.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
A king, angry at a delay, forces a woman to reveal her lover’s name, threatening death, while she tries to appease him and protect herself.
In simple terms: A ruler forces a woman to name her lover under threat.
Key Takeaway
Beware coercion and protect autonomy.
Themes
power
gender
coercion
love
authority
Mood
tense
dramatic
oppressive
Type
dramatic
literary
historical
When to use this quote
- court intrigue
- marriage negotiations
- protecting secrets
- resistance to oppression
Key Concepts
patriarchy
fear
obedience
survival
Questions to Reflect On
- How does fear shape the characters’ choices?
- What alternatives could Imoinda have pursued?
A Different Perspective
The king’s violent authority may blind him to truth and justice.