Before even opening the book, the reader is struck by the paradox of the title, Oroonoko or the Royal Slave. This is already problematic since the royals are highly privileged people who do not end up in dire straits, much less slavery. Aphra Behn presents many paradoxes in her text Oroonoko or the Royal Slave. One of the many paradoxes he uses is one that applies to his hero, Oroonoko; he is an honorable hero, who is also a naive fool. Oroonoko was born into the royal family and led a career as a valiant and just warrior. Raised for this life, Oroonoko has an inherently honorable character following his code of loyalty and honesty. His code of honor and love of truth are admirable, but lead to him being betrayed throughout the narrative. This "all or nothing" characteristic of Oroonoko is what led to his death because he couldn't bend. Oroonoko is presented to the reader from the beginning as an extremely courageous good man, Behn writes, "[T]he most illustrious courts could not have produced a more valiant man, both in greatness of courage and mind, in more judgment solid, for more ready spirit” (12). He obtains the role of general after his mentor suffers a mortal wound protecting Oroonoko. This shows how much adoration Oroonoko had for his people, even for the general return to the court to honor the daughter of the late general with the slaves won in battle. He falls in love with Imoinda and decides to pledge his life to her. This intense love for Imoinda also proves his honor the traditions of his country, “[H]he vowed that she would be the only woman he would possess while he lived; that no age or wrinkle should induce him to… middle of paper… believed in an instant to what this man said; but he replied that he expected, to confirm this, that his shameful shackles would be loosed (50). Oroonoko's faith returns to the Captain and he believes that he and his men will be freed and so urges them to go forward and “bear their chains with the courage that befitted those whom he had seen act so nobly in arms; and that they could give him no greater proofs of their love and friendship, for it was all the security the captain (his friend) could have, against the vengeance, he said, which they might justly take, for the wounds he had sustained. (53). Certainly Oroonoko should see that this man tried to enslave them and therefore should not be trusted. Yet he continues to call him his friend. This is the true revelation of Oroonoko's naivety. Works Cited Behn, Aphra. Oroonoko. London: Canning, 1688. Epub.