Benito Cereno Power Quotes

First, the affair of the Spanish lad assailed with a knife by the slave boy; an act winked at by Don Benito. (68.181)

Captain Delano is basically compiling evidence of moments where the power structure was upended.

"Master," said the servant, discontinuing his work on the coat sleeve and addressing the rapt Spaniard with sort of timid apprehensiveness […]

Babo's "apprehensiveness" could very well be real, if not his timidity. What's going happen if Cereno blows his cover?

[…] "now, master," and the steel glanced nigh his throat. (75.222)

Melville is all about the juxtaposition of power and weakness. Babo calling Cereno "master" is pretty rich, especially when he's wielding a blade.