Benito Cereno

by

Herman Melville

Flags Symbol Icon

Although flags can theoretically represent positive values, such national unity and a feeling of community, in Benito Cereno flags (or the absence thereof) symbolize the violent ambitions that can drive groups of people to dominate over others. When Captain Delano first sees the San Dominick, he notices that the ship has no flag or “colors.” This immediately suggests that the ship might be behaving illegally, not respecting ordinary rules of navigation. Indeed, the hierarchy on the San Dominick has been reversed and it is no longer the Spanish sailors, but the African slaves, who are in charge, illegally trying to reroute the ship. Later, Delano laughs at the slave Babo’s use of a Spanish flag to shave his master Benito Cereno. According to his racist beliefs, Delano concludes that this must reflect black people’s infantile appreciation of bright colors. He does not understand that Babo might be using this flag intentionally, in order to remind Cereno that he—not the Spaniards—is currently in charge. These episodes question the limits between national legitimacy and piracy. Who is more legitimate: the Spanish empire and the American nation, which legalize slavery, or the slaves, who are fighting for their own liberty outside of national rules? Herman Melville does not explicitly answer this question, but he certainly suggests that nations are not inherently less piratical than other groups, since they too steal and kill. Rather, what determines legitimacy, Melville suggests, should be the values that symbols such as flags represent, not the mere existence of flags per se. In this sense, the Spanish and American nations might be just as piratical as the flag-less, slave-controlled ship.

Flags Quotes in Benito Cereno

The Benito Cereno quotes below all refer to the symbol of Flags. For each quote, you can also see the other characters and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
Racism and Prejudice Theme Icon
).
Benito Cereno Quotes

“The castle and the lion,” exclaimed Captain Delano—“why Don Benito, this is the flag of Spain you use here. It’s well it’s only I, and not the King, that sees this,” he added with a smile, “but”—turning towards the black,—“it’s all one, I suppose, so the colors be gay;” which playful remark did not fail some- what to tickle the negro.

Related Characters: Captain Amasa Delano (speaker), Don Benito Cereno, Babo
Related Symbols: Flags
Page Number: 100
Explanation and Analysis:
Get the entire Benito Cereno LitChart as a printable PDF.
Benito Cereno PDF

Flags Symbol Timeline in Benito Cereno

The timeline below shows where the symbol Flags appears in Benito Cereno. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Benito Cereno
Racism and Prejudice Theme Icon
Morality vs. Self-Righteousness Theme Icon
Violence and Slavery Theme Icon
Leadership and Authority Theme Icon
...a ship enter the bay. Delano is shocked to notice that the boat carries no flag. Although Delano’s ship is in an isolated spot and it is not uncommon to hear ... (full context)
Racism and Prejudice Theme Icon
Violence and Slavery Theme Icon
Leadership and Authority Theme Icon
...Suddenly, Delano realizes that the material under Cereno’s chin is nothing other than a Spanish flag. He jokes that they are lucky the King of Spain cannot see this and playfully... (full context)