How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
…the living spectacle [a ship] contains, upon its sudden and complete disclosure, has, in contrast with the blank ocean which zones it, something of the effect of enchantment. The ship seems unreal; these strange costumes, gestures, and faces, but a shadowy tableau just emerged from the deep, which directly must receive back what it gave. (3.15)
This is the first glimpse Delano gets of Benito Cereno's ship, and to him it seems unreal, like a stage set. This is deceptive—the ship is real. But it's also true, because everything on the ship he sees is false and staged for his benefit. This also creates a parallel between Babo, the deceiver, and the writer of the novella. The ship, after all, is not real; it comes out of the mists of the text, and goes back into them, summoned up by imagining. The writer is a liar, too.
Quote #2
..the black with one arm still encircled his master, at the same time keeping his eye fixed on his face, as if to watch for the first sign of complete restoration, or relapse, as the event might prove. (3.35)
Here's Babo, pretending to be the servant, but all the time in control. He's not searching for a sign of a relapse, but for a sign of rebellion. Babo is supposed to be the villain, but he's a very smart (and desperate) man.
Quote #3
"But throughout these calamities," huskily continued Don Benito, painfully turning in the half embrace of his servant, "I have to thank those negroes you see, who, though to your inexperienced eyes appearing unruly, have, indeed, conducted themselves with less of restlessness than even their owner could have thought possible under such circumstances." (3.42)
This is a lie; the black people are in fact unruly and restless—they've taken over the ship! But on the other hand, it's the truth. They're not unruly or restless; they're extremely disciplined, and certainly surprised their owner with their organization and determination. Don Benito is saying, "these aren't bad people"—which is supposed to be a lie, but is actually the truth. They're not unruly; they've acted as anyone would act who did not want to be a slave.
Quote #4
The man was an impostor. Some low-born adventurer, masquerading as an oceanic grandee; yet so ignorant of the first requisites of mere gentlemanhood as to be betrayed into the present remarkable indecorum. (3.118)
Delano suspects that Don Benito is lying, but is totally wrong about everything else. Don Benito deceives him, but Delano also deceives himself. Note too that he thinks that Don Benito is lower class playing at being upper class, but can't imagine that the black people are free actors rather than slaves.
Quote #5
"It is now, master. Will master go into the cuddy?" (3.125)
This should surely be a tip-off; Babo says "master" but he's flat out ordering Benito around. Delano still doesn't get it though.
Quote #6
…the idea flashed across him, that possibly master and man, for some unknown purpose, were acting out, both in word and deed, nay to the very tremor of Don Benito's limbs, some juggling play before him." (3.270)
Delano sees that Babo and Benito are acting, but he can't see what they're acting. In fact, the very language he uses to describe them ("master and man") suggests the problem. He's incapable of seeing their positions reversed. Babo counts on that.
Quote #7
…the whole host of negroes, as if inflamed at the sight of their jeopardized captain, impended in one sooty avalanche over the bulwarks. (3.364)
This is an amazing moment. The black people actually attack Delano…and he still thinks they're under the control of, and loyal to Don Benito! Is it being deceived when you can't see what's right in front of your nose? At what point are they lying to him, and at one point is he just blinded by his own idiocy and racism?
Quote #8
...the deponent steered towards the intermediate ports, hoping to meet some Spanish, or foreign vessel that would save them…(3.403)
After Don Benito was captured by the former slaves, he still tried to deceive them by taking the ship to other ports, and looking for other vessels to rescue him. This is nothing as complicated or smart as Babo's deception—but it doesn't have to be, because the black people are far from home and on unfamiliar ground. It's easy to deceive people when you have a lot more power than they do.
Quote #9
"…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." (3.422)
Don Benito blames Delano's confusion on the malign machinations of Babo. And yes, Babo deserves some credit, but you have to figure that Don Benito is also being diplomatic by not mentioning that Delano is a complete and utter fool.
Quote #10
But spite of my treatment and spite of my dissuasive talk of him to my neighbors, the Lightning-rod man still dwells in the land; still travels in storm-time, and drives a brave trade with the fears of man. (4.72)
Just as Babo deceives Delano because of Delano's preconceptions, so the Lightning-rod man manages to deceive people by playing upon their fears. Deceit in these stories seems like a collaboration; the deceiver tells the deceived what the deceived wants to, or fears to, or needs to, hear.