10/29 Travel and Discovery #9B

Mandeville
The Travels of Sir John Mandeville describe several natives that Mandeville supposedly came across in his travels. One nation of people he describes people that are basically what we know as cyclops, giants with one eye that eat raw meat. Today, we know that no such people could possibly exist outside of fairy tales. Of course, it is reasonable to assume that perhaps these people were quite tall and maybe they only did eat raw fish. Another people that Mandeville comes across in his travels are described to have no heads and eyes on their shoulders. Such a claim is ridiculous today and is clearly unrealistic. Another nation of folks written about are said to "Have the lip above the mouth so great, that they sleep in the sun they cover all the face and that lip." While this is an exaggeration, there are tribal groups out there that put rings in their mouths to make stretch out their upper lips. So while the people in this account of Mandeville's travels have unrealistic exaggerations or just plain myths, they could be based in truth. These exaggeration served to excite the Renaissance mind, which thrived off of stories of new and strange worlds.

Columbus
In his letters about his voyage to new world, Columbus was clearly fascinated and excited by what he had come across. His purpose, after discovering the new world, was to use the raw materials to better Spain and to convert the natives to Christianity. His purpose is shown, firstly, in the way that he named and claimed every island he came across for Spain. He claimed ownership so that the King and Queen could use take from that land to give to Spain. He even says, "I hold them all in the name of their Highnesses who can dispose thereof as much and as completely as the kingdoms of Castile." In addition, while he does describe the natives with wonder and affection, he obviously is aware of how easily they could be used. He makes note several times of their timidity and lack of metal for weapons and shields. In addition to his expectation of using the new world as a tool for Spain's success, Columbus shows himself to be deeply religious. He praises God several times and emphasizes his plans to convert the natives. He describes that he gave the natives useful gifts "in order that they may conceive affection, and furthermore may becomes Christians."