The Worst Kind of Slavery (Michael Grenke)

Audio recording of a lecture given by tutor Michael Grenkeon May 15, 2026 as part of the Dean’s Lecture & Concert Series.  The Dean’s Office has provided thisdescription of the event: “In his novella, Benito Cereno, Herman Melville depicts the aftermath of a slave uprising aboard a Spanish ship.  The ship is encountered by an American vessel, and the unknowing and friendly American captain visits the now slave-run ship to aid in its distress, assuming it is still a Spanish-run ship.  The sights and incidents witnessed by the visiting American captain repeatedly give rise to suspicions that are dismissed or allayed by the American’s kindliness, obtuseness, and prejudice.  The reader, though no better informed, can hardly help conclude the truth of the situation.  In this respect alone, Melville’s story is amasterful presentation of the kind of anticipatory emotion that fear itself is.  But there is a deeper thought underneath.  The leader of the slave revolt, Babo, turns out to be a mastermind of unsuspected authorial power.  He authors the whole pageant aboard ship that convinces the American that Spanish rule persists.  He authors the revolt itself.  He authors the actions and speech of the titular character Benito Cereno.  Babo’s authorship raises the very possibility one man can so enslave another as to infect the very seat of choice and action.  How is such a slavery possible and can it be undone?  Is there a slavery from which the slave cannot be freed?”