Violence And Violence In 'Cabeza De Vaca'

Angry Americans and Violent Visitors
America was formed on violence. The American Revolution is a prime example of fighting for freedom. However, America also formed from the people the colonists fought, they were fighting to keep their land, for belonging and justice. The exploration and colonization of the Europeans caused an incredible amount of violence, pain, and death for the Native Americans. The greed they had and the disregard for the Native Americans has shaped what America has become today, however awful it might have been then. Even through the pain and violence, love influenced America too. These two unrelenting forces often go hand and hand, especially in literature. In the literary pieces throughout the ages, the impact of violence
The colonists that came brought horrible things to the Native Americans, like diseases, weapons, and the idea that they were superior. In Cabeza de Vaca, the violent interactions can be seen between the Natives and the Spaniards throughout the entire narrative. In the very first encounter Cabeza de Vaca recalls, “And although they spoke to us, since we did not have an interpreter we did not understand them. But they made many signs and threatening gestures to us and it seemed to us that they were telling us to leave this land”(p. 54). Right from the beginning, the colonists did not have a respectful relationship with the Native Americans. This continues on through the narrative, and includes raids, fights, and even enslavement. While this violence was a horrible event that cannot be overlooked, America today would not be the same without it. In fact, it might not even exist. This violence was necessary for the formation of today’s
A lot of the colonization that happened was due to this naive greed of the europeans in the Old World. In The Tempest, greed is a clear motivator for the antagonist, Antonio. He wishes to become the king of Naples’s right hand and duke of Milan. This is shown through his plotting and scheming, first for taking Prospero’s place some years ago. Prospero recalls, “A treacherous army levied, one midnight/ Fated to the purpose did Antonio open/ The gates of Milan” (I.II). Antonio was so persuaded by his greed that he attacked his own brother and ran him out of the country in fear of losing his life and his daughter. This dukedom, however, was not enough for Antonio, he continues his quest for power through the plotting of killing the king of Naples, Alonso. He and Sebastian, who would be king after Alonso dies, plan the murder aided by Ariel, who put the rest of the ship’s party to sleep. Antonio says, “My strong imagination sees a crown/ Dropping upon thy head… Say, this were death/ That now hath seized them; why, they were no worse/ Than they now are”(II.I). The greed that fuels Antonio is very similar to the greed that fueled the explorers when America was first being colonized. In both situations, they want something more than they have, and it hurts someone else in return. They may think about how it might affect those surrounding them,