Character Clues

Character Analysis

Action

All of Melville's characters tend to act out their feelings. They'd be great in an improv show… although improv shows tend to be a little teensy weeny bit more uplifting than "Benito Cereno."

Take Captain Delano, for instance: just as soon as he learns there's a ship in distress, he:

ordered a whale boat to be dropped, and, much to the wary opposition of his mate, prepared to board her, and at the least, pilot her in. (38.7)

Like Babo and Benito Cereno, Delano's a man of few words. When you're a sea captain, you have to get used to acting quickly and instinctively.

Location

The Bachelor's Delight is pretty inane—but so is Captain Delano (sometimes). He means well, but like his jolly-sounding ship, there's not always a ton of substance there.

The San Dominick seems like it's a place where civilization goes to die. It carries remnants of the sea like a badge of honor: think "dry tindery sea moss" on the balustrades and "closed and calked deadlights" (39.12). Yeesh.

What does this say about the crew, especially Babo and Benito Cereno? Well, like the ship, they're clinging to the last vestiges of civilization. They've been out on the water so long, it seems like their code of ethics is totally steeped in seawater. That is to say, Babo and Cereno are in the game to survive.

Physical Appearances

Captain Delano is the first one to notice that Benito Cereno could have been a man of "greater energy" (42.25). Something has happened to sap Cereno of his energy, and Delano notices it right away. In fact, Cereno seems to be on death's door. His "reddened lips and closed eyes" suggest some kind of violent disorder that goes beyond a normal fever (46.37). He's troubled deep down in his soul.