logo
episode-header-image
Jun 2025
35m 18s

Aphra Behn's Oroonoko: Blurring History ...

M. G. McDonough
About this episode

Send us a text

In today's chinwag, we'll explore a candidate for the first novel in English by the first professional female writer in English: Oroonoko by Aphra Behn (1688).  It's the story of an African prince and his beloved, who are betrayed into slavery and do not live happily ever after.  The novel seems a modest heroic romance, but I think Ms. Behn has a more complex project up her sleeve . . . .

Full text of Oroonoko

https://pressbooks.library.torontomu.ca/oroonoko/chapter/the-history-of-the-royal-slave/

Additional music:

"James Bond Theme Song" from The Internet Archive

https://archive.org/details/tvtunes_6995

"Jeopardy Theme Think Music" from The Internet Archive

https://archive.org/details/tvtunes_29826

Support the show

Please like, subscribe, and rate the podcast on Apple, Spotify, YouTube Music, or wherever you listen. Thank you!

Email: classicenglishliterature@gmail.com

Follow me on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube.

If you enjoy the show, please consider supporting it with a small donation. Click the "Support the Show" button. So grateful!

Podcast Theme Music: "Rejoice" by G.F. Handel, perf. The Advent Chamber Orchestra
Subcast Theme Music: "Sons of the Brave" by Thomas Bidgood, perf. The Band of the Irish Guards
Sound effects and incidental music: Freesounds.org
My thanks and appreciation to all the generous providers!

Up next
Nov 9
The First English Novel? Daniel Defoe's Robinson Crusoe
Send us a textOn this trip, we're looking at the conventional candidate for the first modern novel in English. Defoe's story of a resourceful man shipwrecked on a desert island is so much more than a ripping yarn: it speaks to the rise of a literary vernacular language, the value ... Show More
36m 52s
Oct 26
The First Ghost Story? Daniel Defoe's "The Apparition of Mrs. Veal"
Send us a textFor you today, Trick or Treaters, a discussion of what some critics assert is the first modern ghost story in English: Daniel Defoe's 1705 "The Apparition of Mrs. Veal."The text: https://www.gutenberg.org/files/36587/36587-h/36587-h.htmSupport the showPlease like, s ... Show More
21m 58s
Oct 10
Modish Men and the Way of the World: The Great Restoration Comedies of Manners
Send us a textWell, I probably should have done this episode earlier, since it might have been good for it to precede our other discussions of Resto comedy. But I made a last minute decision and included a second play, which kind of threw off the old chronology. But it's good all ... Show More
31m 59s
Recommended Episodes
Apr 2024
The Band of Gold Mystery
Rerun: Freda Payne’s banger ‘Band Of Gold’ sounds like a Motown record, but actually isn’t. Although written by Berry Gordy’s hit-making trio Holland-Dozier-Holland, it was released on their breakaway label, Invictus, on 25th April, 1970. Ever since, fans have speculated as to th ... Show More
11m 25s
Sep 2024
Winged Eyeliner & The Age Of Intolerance
Subscribe to Mamamia Tim Minchin regrets one of his most famous songs. And it tells us a lot about where culture has moved to. In this episode, we discuss the age of intolerance.  Plus, we help set up your weekend with some recommendations which include: a book, an album and two ... Show More
50m 32s
Jun 2018
Ep. #236 - Read the Rainbow with the Lambda Literary Awards
It's Pride Month! For today's episode, Jill and Adam discuss some of the Lambda Literary Award recent winners along with some other LGBTQ+ related books. They also discuss some of their recent reads. For more information on the award, visit https://www.lambdaliterary.org   Boo ... Show More
33m 54s
Sep 21
ON WRITING... With Salman Rushdie and Kazuo Ishiguro
Welcome to another special edition of How to Fail, where I revisit conversations from the How to Fail archives. Each week, we shine a light on a particular theme, hopefully offering inspiration, perspective and comfort through the words of past guests. This week’s theme is on wri ... Show More
24m 18s
Nov 2022
Is Your Relationship ‘Beautiful People’ Proof?
Claim a free ticket to our virtual tour show An elderly man was attacked with a hammer in his own home, and somehow this has become a ‘debate’ about free speech in the US. Why?  Plus, Romantic Comedies are hot again. At least, that’s what everyone is saying. So why are they so ha ... Show More
35m 39s
Jun 2025
First Love Mixtape: Side B (Encore)
<p>In last week’s <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/28/podcasts/love-soundtrack-music.html" target="_blank">episode</a>, the Modern Love team shared the songs that taught<i> </i>us about love when we were young. But in this week’s episode, we hear from you, our listeners, ... Show More
22m 1s
Feb 2025
A Forensic Analysis of Meghan Markle’s Announcement
After trademark troubles and delays with her original brand, our favourite ex-royal is giving it another go. Meghan Markle's new Instagram teaser still gives us those dreamy Montecito mansion vibes, but now with a different name and (presumably) fewer jams. Is this a strategic pi ... Show More
38m 37s
Aug 2024
This Is What A Generation Sounds Like: Sara
<p>We're away on our summer break until September, but this week and next week we're re-releasing two of our favourite episodes from The Europeans' award-winning series, 'This Is What A Generation Sounds Like.  This week, a story that spans three generations of women: Sara, her ... Show More
27m 12s
Sep 30
Ballads of Love and Death
In this enchanting episode, Dr. Eleanor Janega dissolves the boundaries between history, folklore, and music to explore the haunting world of medieval ballads. Joined by author Amy Jeffs, illustrator Gwen Burns and composer/singer Natalie Brice, Eleanor uncovers the timeless stor ... Show More
1h 1m
Sep 14
Lot 093 : Keep The Lights On
Lot 093 : Keep The Lights On Written by Aijalon LawrenceTrevor Shand as RandallMelissa Medina as SDJared Rivet as XavierFeaturing Stephen Knowles as The Antique DealerTheme music by The Newton BrothersAdditional music byCO.AG (coagmusic@yahoo.com) Vivek Abhishek SUBSCRIBE to them ... Show More
28m 20s