What does Follow the leader mean in benito Cereno?
The phrase “Follow your leader” appears on various occasions in the novella. Later, Benito Cereno dies three months after Babo, leading Melville to note that Cereno thus “did, indeed, follow his leader.” In both cases, the idea of following one’s leader means dying—not obeying a grand purpose.
Who is the leader of the slaves in Benito Cereno?
Babo
The ship is actually filled with rebel slaves who killed their owner, Alexandro Aranda, and are in control of the Spaniards including Captain Benito. Captain Benito is constantly served by Babo, the leader of the rebellion, and Delano does not suspect anything despite the fact that Benito was never left alone.
Who is Francesco in Benito Cereno?
Francesco A tall, magisterial mulatto wearing an Oriental turban who proposes poisoning Delano’s food. José Eighteen-year-old servant of Aranda who, previous to the revolt, spied on the captain, reported to Babo, and stabbed his mutilated master.
Who is the villain or who are the villains in Melville’s Benito Cereno?
Babo, the Slave Trade Although we might suspect his motives when he has his “Oops!” moment during Benito Cereno’s shave, it’s only when he tries to stab Cereno that he cements his role as the antagonist.
Who narrates cereno?
Amasa Delano
In “Benito Cereno,” the narrator is Amasa Delano, the captain of a Massachusetts whaling ship. When the story begins, Captain Delano and his ship, the Bachelor’s Delight, are anchored off the island of Santa Maria.
Who are the characters in Benito Cereno?
Benito Cereno Characters
- Captain Amasa Delano. The protagonist of Benito Cereno is a ship captain from Duxbury, Massachusetts, operating a ship called the Bachelor’s Delight.
- Don Benito Cereno.
- Babo.
- Atufal.
- Alexandro Aranda.
- Francesco.
- The Hatchet-Polishers (Ashantee Men)
- The Oakum-Pickers.
Who is the main character in Benito Cereno?
Amasa Delano is the main character of “Benito Cereno.” He is the captain of the Bachelor’s Delight, a whaling ship from Massachusetts. Delano is a pleasant, good-natured man, slow to become suspicious, but he is not naive.
Who is Aranda in Benito Cereno?
Alexandro Aranda
Benito Cereno’s childhood friend Alexandro Aranda is the owner of most of the slaves on the San Dominick before the slaves’ rebellion. Although not much is known about Aranda’s character, he seems trusting and optimistic, since he decides not to keep the slaves in chains, assuming that they are docile.
Was Benito Cereno based on a true story?
Benito Cereno is a true story. They slaughtered most of the crew, along with the trader taking them to Peru, and ordered its captain, Benito Cerreño, to return them to Senegal. Cerreño stalled. He sailed first up and then down the coast, finally running into the Perseverance.
Who killed Aranda in cereno?
Don Benito begged in vain for his friend’s life. Babo had two Ashantis mutilate Aranda with hatchets, drag him on deck, then kill him and return the body below deck.
What happens to Babo at the end of the novella?
Babo is executed and his head is mounted on a pole, where it “met, unabashed, the gazes of the whites” (104.413). Dang: even in death, Babo remains unashamed of his drastic actions.
What is hidden under the canvas thrown over the masthead of Benito Cereno’s ship?
Delano realizes that Babo intended to stab Cereno, not himself; and as the boat escapes, the canvas falls away from the figurehead, revealing a human skeleton above the words “follow your leader.” Delano then sends his men to take the ship, which they manage with some losses to their number.
