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“Whatever special orders were necessary, their delivery was delegated to his body-servant, who in turn transferred them to their ultimate destination, through runners, alert Spanish boys or slave boys, like pages or pilot-fish within easy call continually hovering round Don Benito. So that to have beheld this undemonstrative invalid gliding about, apathetic and mute, no landsman could have dreamed that in him was lodged a dictatorship beyond which, while at sea, there was no earthly appeal.”
Benito Cereno is filled with ironic moments such as this one. Here, Delano marvels at the rigid manner in which Cereno runs the men aboard the San Dominick. However, as the novella progresses, readers can determine that Delano’s perception of Cereno’s authority is entirely misplaced. In reality, Babo is not a humble “body-servant” and is, instead, the real “dictat[or]” of the vessel. If anything, Cereno acts as Babo’s servant because he must obey Babo’s every command in order to spare his life.
“[Babo] placed a rug under Don Benito’s feet, and a cushion behind his back, and then stood behind, not his master’s chair, but Captain Delano’s. At first, this a little surprised the latter. But it was soon evident that, in taking his position, the black was still true to his master; since by facing him he could the more readily anticipate his slightest want.”
This brief moment at the San Dominick’s table perfectly encapsulates the concept of genuine vs. perceived authority. After a brief moment of confusion, Delano marvels at Babo’s dedication to Cereno because, by standing behind Delano, he can face Cereno and anticipate his every need. However, this perceived subservience is entirely false and Babo actually faces Cereno so that he can monitor his every move and maintain control of the situation.
