The Portuguese captain is a white European, who rescued Robinson Crusoe and Xury after they left the island and escaped captivity. The day he saw them and decided to help, he was traveling to Brazil with some man on his own boat.
This character doesn’t have a name, that makes him even more enigmatic. The Portuguese captain takes Robinson to Brazil where he presents him a new life as a plantation owner. He is kind and polite, generous and sympathetic to Crusoe.
We can definitely claim that his role in Crusoe’s life is crucial, as he was taking care of his Brazilian investments during his long absence, gave him new life and job and helped him to start from scratch.
The image of a captain makes us think about the striking difference between morally poor Europe and innocent, noble, kind and generous savages.
The Portuguese captain in the Essays
Author: Levi Jennings