Oroonoko Characters
O
Oroonoko
Protagonist
Brave
Honorable
Skilled fighter
Loyal
Oroonoko is a young African prince who is brave, handsome, and deeply loved by his people. He is captured by slave traders and transported to Suriname, where he is enslaved. Even in bondage, he retains his honor and dignity, fighting for freedom and striving to protect those he loves until his tragic end.
I
Imoinda
Supporting
Beautiful
Gentle
Loyal
Brave
Imoinda is Oroonoko's beloved, originally a member of the royal court in Africa. She is captured and sent to Suriname as a slave, where she is eventually reunited with Oroonoko. Despite enduring great hardship, she remains steadfastly loyal and courageous throughout their shared suffering.
TN
The Narrator
Narrator
Observant
Sympathetic
Friendly
Descriptive
The narrator is a European woman residing in Suriname who recounts the story of Oroonoko and Imoinda based on her own observations and accounts she has heard. She is sympathetic toward Oroonoko and makes efforts to assist him during his time in Suriname.
KO
King of Coramantien
Minor
Powerful
Authoritative
Unfair
Self-interested
The King of Coramantien is Oroonoko's grandfather and the ruler of their African homeland. Though powerful and commanding, he can act unjustly, particularly in matters that affect Oroonoko and Imoinda.
TE
The English Slave Trader
Antagonist
Also known as: Captain
Deceitful
Treacherous
Manipulative
Cruel
The English Captain is a slave trader who uses trickery to capture Oroonoko and his men. He betrays their trust and sells them into slavery in Suriname, setting the central tragedy of the story in motion.
MT
Mr. Trefry
Supporting
Kind
Respectful
Fair
Educated
Mr. Trefry is an Englishman who serves as the overseer and manager of the plantation in Suriname. Unlike many around him, he treats Oroonoko with genuine kindness and respect, recognising his nobility and intelligence.
GB
Governor Byam
Antagonist
Cruel
Dishonest
Authoritarian
Treacherous
Governor Byam is the chief authority in Suriname and serves as a key antagonist in the story. He breaks his promises to Oroonoko and ultimately orchestrates his brutal punishment and death, embodying the corrupt and oppressive power of the colonial system.
OS
Other Slaves
Symbolic
Resilient
Supportive
Oppressed
Loyal
The other African slaves in Suriname represent the broader suffering of enslaved people. They look to Oroonoko as a leader and symbol of resistance, collectively embodying the pain, solidarity, and struggle for freedom that are central themes of the story.