Captain Blood: His Odyssey

Peter Blood’s Irish identity distinguishes him from every other character. What was happening politically between England and Ireland in 1685, the year of the Monmouth Rebellion? How (if at all) does this background and Blood’s Irish identity shape the events and themes of the novel?

There are explicit depictions of violence in Captain Blood, which is common in historical adventure novels. Identify one violent scene. Explain how the scene contributes to the progression of the plot and describe how the meaning of the novel would change if the scene didn’t exist.

Fate often hands Blood opportunities to choose which direction his journey will take. Identify one of these moments and address how Blood uses his agency. What is the choice that Fate supplies? What does Blood do with the opportunity, and why? Use textual evidence for support.

The narrator intersperses the story with observations and opinions, which disrupt the flow of the plot. Yet, they serve a purpose such as character development, establishing the setting, marking a change in the plot, or revealing the narrator’s biases. Identify and compare two of the narrator’s interruptions. How do they contribute to the novel’s structure and/or style? Explain with textual evidence for support.

The details of Blood’s 11 years in military service are sparse. Gather clues about Blood’s life as a soldier; research the wars in which he participated and the real historical figures he met. How do his experiences and his association with the historical figures seem to influence his opinion of humanity, both as a symbol and a motif?

Initial descriptions of Arabella Bishop indicate she is honest, compassionate, straightforward, and independent. After Blood persuades her to go to Speightstown and to take Mary Traill with her, readers don’t meet her again until three years have passed. How does her character change in that time? What caused the change? Imagine Arabella’s life during those three years: where did she live, what did she do? Create a short narrative about Arabella’s time apart from Blood and describe how it changed her character.

Catholicism is a common denominator between Blood and two antagonists, Don Diego and Don Miguel. How do the Spanish brothers’ religious beliefs factor into the broader themes of power and humanity? What conclusion can readers draw from religion's role in Blood’s interactions with his Spanish adversaries?

The narrator’s descriptions of Levasseur as the romantic hero are satirical in tone, but it’s not clear who or what the narrator is satirizing. It could be Levasseur; it could be Madeleine’s overblown romantic notions; pr it could be tropes in popular romance fiction of the time. Discuss who or what the narrator is satirizing in the description of the romantic hero.