The History Of The Nun

5 Pages 1187 Words

The Affects of a Broken Vow
Aphra Behn’s The History of the Nun illustrates the importance of decision making and keeping vows, particularly the “Sacred Vow, made to God only,” through the life of the main character Isabella (Behn). The reader witnesses the perfect, simplistic nature of Isabella changing as she attempts to conquer the misfortunes that accompany her broken vow to eternally “serve him [God] with all Chastity and Devotion” (Behn). It is through Isabella’s interactions with other characters that she acquires more realistic qualities. From beginning to end, this virtuous woman is just another victim of a sinful world.
Isabella’s upbringing in a nunnery influences the woman she becomes. As a young girl, she is exceptionally civil and affable as the nuns teach her everything possible; however, she only sees a nun’s perspective of life. The nuns mold her view of the world, causing the secular outside to become less appealing to her. In the nunnery, she is an ideal person with perfect virtures and is full of knowledge. Her character, in this stage of her life, is too innocent and righteous. Her first big mistake occurs as she enters the sisterhood. This, in actuality, ignites a chain of events that leads to many of her downfalls. Isabella is unaware of her other options while she makes her decision; one that will affect the rest of her life.
Isabella’s personality becomes more realistic as she journeys through life and faces consequences rooted in her initial vow to become a nun. The nun undergoes changes in her personality from being a perfect little girl, to becoming a nun, to breaking her sacred vow, and killing both of her husbands, and finally losing her own life. At first, Isabella questions her morals as she confesses to her best friend, Katteriena, that she loves Katteriena’s brother, Henault. Deceiving Katteriena, Isabella convinces her that she can see Henault without loving ...