Guide Mentor

Character Role Analysis

Babo

Babo certainly doesn't seem like much of a mentor to Benito Cereno during the attempted stabbing scene. But the noteworthy part is that Cereno himself seems to value him as some sort of guide. After all, Babo literally keeps Cereno standing upright during most of the story.

The weird thing is that Cereno seems to be sincere when he talks about Babo's significance in his life. His sincerity is only really evident at the end, when Cereno "follows his leader" to the grave. Is this Stockholm syndrome, or something more? Romantic love, maybe? Or grudging respect and admiration?