Wikipedia Trail: Oroonoko to The Stuart Period

I began my search for Oroonoko and read about the tale and some of the back story. I learned that there was much debate over the female roles in the tale. Some thought that the females were strong and seen as close to equal to the males for the time. Others criticized the murder of the woman and the abuse of Oroonoko's wife. I hadn't really thought about the king's abuse because I just accepted it as she did, as it was apart of the culture. Though it was absolutely unacceptable and wrong, I just took it as it was presented. But I do see the argument. Additionally I did give pause to the murders of herself and her child however.

I then wished to learn more about the female author, Aphra Behn. As I followed the link there were tales of hear early life. But the painting of her truly gave life to the character. She was often criticized for her plays containing sexual matter and would say that it would not cause such an uproar of the population if the scenes were written by a man instead. I found her to be very strong willed and enlightened.

To follow more, I clicked the link to the restoration era that she was alive during. Where I again found a beautiful image of the man to thank for the restoration of England, King Charles II. His crowning (or one of many) was the restoration of the church of England. Which had dramatic ups and downs since its foundation by King Henry VIII. Mostly due to the reason it was created (to allow him to divorce without the catholic churches approval).

The restoration took place in the Stuart Period, which was my final link. This period started with the reign of King James Stuart after his mother's cousin Elizabeth Queen of the Golden Age. What I did not know about this time was that many area's of the English domain dealt with superstition and the persecution of witches. I though that was only in the American territories due to the constant education and media coverage on the Salem Witch Trials no doubt. I am quite pleased to have learned something new!

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oroonoko

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aphra_Behn

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Restoration_(England)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stuart_period