Roxana: Analysis of Major Characters
"Roxana" is a narrative that delves into the life of its titular character, a woman who finds herself in precarious circumstances after being abandoned by her husband at the age of twenty-two. To support herself and her children, Roxana enters into a relationship with her landlord, becoming his mistress and eventually bearing him a child. Following his death, she continues her journey through various lovers, including a prince, driven by vanity and the pursuit of wealth rather than necessity. These relationships span nearly three decades, during which Roxana gathers riches and navigates the complexities of love and power.
Significant characters include her first lover, Mr. ———, who generously supports her but meets a tragic end, leaving her his fortune, and the Prince de ———, who provides her with gifts but ultimately abandons her after repenting for their lifestyle. Additionally, a merchant later becomes a partner to Roxana, legitimizing their son while they settle into a respectable life. The character of Amy, Roxana's devoted maid, plays a crucial role, assisting her without compensation during her struggles, although their relationship becomes strained towards the end. This analysis explores these major characters and their interconnected fates, reflecting themes of survival, morality, and transformation in a historical context.
Roxana: Analysis of Major Characters
Author: Daniel Defoe
First published: 1724
Genre: Novel
Locale: England and Europe
Plot: Picaresque
Time: Eighteenth century
Roxana, a woman left penniless by her husband at the age of twenty-two. To support herself and her children, she becomes her landlord's mistress and bears him a child. After his death, she becomes the mistress of a prince, out of vanity rather than need. She bears the prince a child during the eight years of their alliance. She then takes other lovers, receiving riches from them, until she is fifty years old. She finally leaves her role as a courtesan to marry and become a respectable wife.
Mr. ———, Roxana's landlord and first lover. He helps Roxana when her husband leaves her, becoming a boarder in her house and then her lover, treating her generously during their five years together. He wants children badly and, when Roxana does not at first bear him a child, Roxana's maid does so. Mr. ——— is robbed and murdered. He leaves his wealth to Roxana.
The Prince de ———, Roxana's second lover. He protects her after her first lover's untimely death in Paris. He remains her lover for eight years and rewards her with rich gifts. Upon his wife's death, however, he repents his sinful life and leaves Roxana.
A merchant, who takes care of Roxana's wealth for her during the years after she parts from the Prince de ———. Roxana bears the merchant a son, after a brief affair. Later, he and Roxana are married, legitimize their son, and settle down to respectability in Holland.
Amy, Roxana's faithful maid. She serves her mistress without pay while Roxana is poor. She even bears a child for Mr. ——— when it seems that Roxana cannot. Loyal to the end, she is finally dismissed by Roxana when she threatens to murder Roxana's legitimate daughter to quiet her tongue about Roxana's past.