Topic > Themes and Messages in Benito Cereno by Herman Melville

With an intense mix of ambiguity and power, author Herman Melville provides the short story, Benito Cereno, in which Captain Amasa Delano, a friendly American captain, notices a ship coming from the clearing distance from a gray fog. Deciding to set sail and find out what is going on, Captain Delano decides to board the foreign vessel. On board the ship the situation is strange and sailors and African slaves try to intercept him to tell him their story of suffering. Captain Delano is finally introduced to Benito Cereno, the leader of the San Dominick. Benito describes what happened and tries to explain why his slaves are no longer chained. The entire scenario is baffling to the naive Captain Delano. Eventually Delano begins to wonder what is really happening as the whole situation is strange, especially since two of the main slaves, Babo and Atufal, seem to be very happy to serve their master. When he finally decides to jump from the ship, Benito tries to escape in which Babo jumps after him, revealing that Babo was trying to attack Benito Cereno. Captain Delano had finally thwarted the slave revolt and their plan to escape to freedom. Herman Melville uses ambiguity and enigmas to introduce symbolism, the central theme of greyness, and an allusion to a historical figure to portray the message of slavery and ambiguity throughout the novella. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay Melville incorporates essential characteristics that intensify the uncertainty and vagueness of the connection between master and slave. When Captain Delano was on board the San Domenico, Babo was waiting for Benito Cereno, and made a gesture as if he was waiting for his master to come and sit down. Babo ordered Benito to sit down so he could shave him. Meanwhile, Captain Delano watches the scene unfold. Even though Benito pretends to be satisfied and unaware of Babo's position, not only with the shaving, but also with who is being held captive, Cereno's body almost betrays him when his body continues to shake uncontrollably. Babo tries to play it down and makes a catchy comment about his instability and reliability since he's never cut it before. The whole scene fascinates Captain Delano and does not make him suspect anything out of the ordinary. While shaving Captain Delano, Babo accidentally cuts Benito Cereno. “…just then the razor drew blood, the specks of which stained the creamy foam under the throat; immediately the black barber drew back his weapon, and, maintaining his professional attitude, again towards Captain Delano, and opposite Don Benito, raised the dripping razor, saying with a kind of almost humorous pain: "See, master, here Babo's first blood” (Melville, 1557). The razor in this scene becomes a symbolic representation of control and power in evaluating the relationship between Babo and Don Benito. , holds his “master” by the throat. Physically, Babo's power develops with the “accidental” cut on his master's neck as he shaves it. The central theme of grayness throughout the novella becomes evident a gray surtout. Flocks of restless gray birds, friends and relatives with flights of restless gray vapors among which they were mingled, skimmed low and intermittently over the waters, like swallows over the meadows before present storms, which foretell deeper shadows to come ” (Melville, 1526). The setting is described at the beginning, giving a picture of everything silent, calm and grey. The in-depth description creates the mood and atmosphere of the story. Benito Cereno begins to reveal a series of elements in.