The Third and Last Volume of the Voyages, Navigations, Traffiques, and Discoveries of the English Nation by Robert Barker

The Third and Last Volume of the Voyages, Navigations, Traffiques, and Discoveries of the English Nation by Robert Barker

English slave trade

In his account of England’s voyages to foreign territories, Robert Barker provides numerous descriptions of the native peoples that the Europeans came into contact with through their travels. Most, if not all, of the descriptions are unflattering and grossly prejudiced, describing them as violent and uncivilized creatures. He takes particular note of their treatment of animals. Despite the negative reactions the natives had to visiting Europeans, the natives exhibited a deep level of love and respect for animals. The explorers, however, noted that the meat of these foreign animals (like deer) was not as palatable as the meat of the animals back in Europe. While this sentiment is meant literally, I believe that it is also a reflection of the European views of Moors during this time. In a way, Barker is suggesting that the explorers prefer their own kind (the Europeans) to the Moors.
A great deal of figurative language is used within the play to draw comparison between Othello and various animals. For example, in the very first scene of the play, Iago refers to Othello as an “old black ram” when describing the sexual relationship that exists between he and Desdemona. The passages in Barker’s text, in combination with the figurative language of Othello, seem to suggest that Moors were not only less highly regarded than the Europeans, but were considered to have stronger connections with the animals than they did with the white men from Europe.

Bishop, George
Newberie, Ralph
Barker, Robert
*look for specific author in book!!

photograph taken by Davis Madeja at Rose Library

Bishop, George
Newberie, Ralph
Barker, Robert

1599-1600

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With permission from the Rose Library.

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Middle English

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G240 .H3 P7 1599 MCGREGOR V.1-3

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