Benito Cereno by Melville – An Annotation
With our annotations, we intend to enrich the experiences of readers by unpacking several moments in the story to showcase their significance. Littered throughout our annotations will include helpful information for readers (first time or rereaders) that’ll help facilitate their understanding of the story. Lastly, we hope to give them an alternative perspective and interpretation to the story in a platform they can contribute to. This will be through the google extension called Hypothesis.
Welcome to our website! Below you can find the sections of the book we chose to focus on!
The Beginning of Benito Cereno (p. 34-44)
Experience the introduction of Captain Delano and the moments when he first encounters Benito Cereno’s ship!
Captain Delano’s Logic and Potential Warning (p. 62-69)
Captain Delano witnesses something puzzling from Benito Cereno’s crew and enslaved people. What could that entail? Find out here!
Court Proceedings (p. 89-100)
Hear about the events of the story from an objective view. This is outside of Captain Delano’s head and provides details he wasn’t present for.
The End of Benito Cereno (p. 83-89 & 100-102)
The final struggle between Captain Delano, his thoughts, Benito Cereno’s crew, and the enslaved people end here. Who will reign victorious? Who will survive to the end?
“Wide, indeed,” said Don Benito, sadly; “you were with me all day; stood with me, sat with me, talked with me, looked at me, ate with me, drank with me; and yet, your last act was to clutch for a monster, not only an innocent man, but the most pitiable of all men. To such degree may malign machinations and deceptions impose. So far may even the best man err, in judging the conduct of one with the recesses of whose condition he is not acquainted. But you were forced to it; and you were in time undeceived. Would that, in both respects, it was so ever, and with all men.” has saved us thousands of hours of work and has unlocked insights we never thought possible” (101).
Don Benito
Benito Cereno
Benito Cereno Annotated 