Dreamer's Disease: Beginning and End of Civilizations
By Rosanny Bello, with comments by Courtney Brown, Taylor Kite, Caitlin Prozonic, Adrianna Abreu, Morgan Christopher, and Victor Cumberbatch
[1] Most depictions of Christopher Columbus show him in the light of the "white legends" that revere him as discoverer of the New World. Ridley Scott's 1492: Conquest of Paradise is no exception. The film's last scene between Columbus and Sanchez (Tape Two: 0:36:28) serves as a further confirmation of his believed worthiness of veneration. (see comment by Victor Cumberbatch)
[2] Having left the Queen, Columbus encounters Sanchez, who scorns him for being a "dreamer." Asking Sanchez to describe what he sees out in the city, Columbus explains to Sanchez that the tall towers and pillars that reach the clouds, such symbols of greatness and civilization, were all created by dreamers. Not only is he giving himself credit for the discovering of the New World, but also making a comment on how nothing can be done without having first been envisioned. Dreams are what make things happen, and in believing this, Columbus is representative of the essence of the American Dream. (see comment by Morgan Christopher)
[3] Columbus continues to give himself self-reverence in stating that Sanchez will have to live with the knowledge that "I [Columbus] did it. And you didn't." In the same way, Columbus perhaps is making a note that the Spanish nobility has no true power without the lower class. These "dreamers" are evidently not the nobles with power but the lower class who take their dreams and pursue them. Columbus is here seen as the voice of the people, humbling himself down to the position of a common man, but, in doing so, having more power than Sanchez.
[4] A major point that Scott appears to bring out through this scene is Columbus's power or influence over figures of authority, in this case Sanchez. Columbus approaches people in power with such an air of defiance, he gains power over his oppressors. When Columbus finds himself with Sanchez, he literally pulls him back and turns him around with a violent authority, determined to make Sanchez understand perspective. At the end, Sanchez does not reproach Columbus's argument, leaving Columbus with the last word. As Columbus fades into the background, Sanchez, who has been Columbus's protagonist till this point, is left to reflect on Columbus's words and ultimately sees the influence Columbus does indeed have through his pursuit of his dreams.
[5] This defiance of the hierarchy is also seen in the prior scene. Sanchez asks Queen Isabella why she puts up with Columbus's rudeness, and she admits it is because he does not fear her. Scott's portrayal of this quality in Columbus emphasizes the strong point in his character, his unshakable ambition. It is because of this determination that Columbus is admired, although he never actually makes it to his originally planned destination. (see comment by Adrianna Abreu)
[6] In a later scene (Tape Two: 0:41:40), Sanchez and Arojas stand outside and see Columbus from a distance, seemingly another old forgotten man among the crowd. Arojas says to Sanchez, "What a waste of a life." In retort, the newly converted Sanchez answers, "A waste? Well, if your name and mine is ever remembered, Arojaz, it will only be because of his." Again, Columbus is set as the initiator of the whole endeavor and worthy of praise for the work that he put into it, whether or not he achieved his original goal of reaching India.
[7] However, this scene also brings into question the impact of Columbus's "dream." How successful was Columbus, truly, in establishing a civilization worthy of being claimed by Spain? And if Spain is this perfect civilization, as Sanchez seems to express in his passionate description of the city's wonders, what is to be made of the heretics and how they are dealt with? Is this not the same barbarism in which they felt the natives existed? Although Columbus seems to take full credit for the celebrated aspect of the discovery, Columbus fails to see that he, in that way, takes full credit for the innumerable horrors that took place because of the discovery. (see comment by Courtney Brown)
Comments
Dreams may be the initial spark of creativity that get things moving, but as 1492 proves, it takes a certain degree of power and money to bring them to fruition. While it is true that Columbus is innovative and determined, he has the difficult task (made easier by Sigourney Weaver’s schoolgirl rendition of Queen Isabella) of persuading the Spanish government to fund his journey. He cannot achieve his dream simply through the act of dreaming. Once the powers-that-be get wind of both the exploitative possibilities of enslaving the natives and Columbus’s lack of governing ability, they push him aside with a swipe of the hand and deposit him in prison. Columbus becomes a pawn of the Spanish empire. Once he no longer serves a purpose -- he is, in fact, harming the cause -- Sanchez convinces Queen Isabella to dispose of him. Columbus’s downfall can be traced back to one main source: he suffers from what the Rosanny labels “dreamer’s disease.†Columbus lives, thinks, and reacts according to his idealistic worldview, failing to see the violent conflict right in front of his eyes until it is too late. Despite the fact that the natives are being enslaved and abused, Columbus cannot comprehend how they could harbor any resentment against the invading Spaniards, failing to register the sight of his comrades’ bloody scalps and broken skeletons as a result of the natives’ vengeance. Instead, Columbus believes that if he voices enough pleas for peace and cooperation, Utopia will appear before his eyes, much like the New World appeared in the midst of a fog.
Ridley Scott’s 1492 is absolutely no exception to perpetuating the propagandized ideals surrounding Columbus and his character. I completely agree that the dream scene is purposely designed so audiences draw parallels between themselves and one of our most celebrated national icons. Columbus is a common man who must battle those in power in order to accomplish his endeavors. We are taught as children that if we work hard enough everything will come together. Perhaps I am cynical or a realist, depending on where you’re standing from, but the only parallels I draw from Columbus to the “American Way†is “friendly-conquering.†Americans offer our ideals to countries around the world, usually after we break down their country with military force. Since the country's now broken, we might as well fix it our way. So perhaps I do not see Columbus as the American Dreamer, but I believe he’s greatly contributed to our style of diplomacy.
Where I must disagree with you, Rosanny, is that Columbus did not have power over the nobles. He had the Queen’s approval, which made him untouchable when he showed arrogance or disdain for the nobles and dons in San Salvador. The Queen was the only noble he was not rude to. Yes, he spoke his mind but was never explicitly disrespectful like to others. I also did not see him as standing up for himself or defending his dream, but his actions were out of loathing and jealousy because he was a common man. His dream was a means to status, why else would he have demanded becoming a don as part of his contract? A bold move for someone who was one more “no†away from his dream not coming true.
Sanchez’s final comments about Columbus are the most honest and unbiased of the movie. Of course his name will be remembered; he was the first. The first is always remembered, but there are no comments about his overall character in relationship to his accomplishments, which is what causes controversy.
To in any way suggest that the acts of Christopher Columbus were somehow heroic, glorious, or righteous would be egregious, dangerous, and outright wrong. He was a frighteningly simple man who thought an invisible man told him to go take over and invade another country for its resources and to spread the doctrine of his country. Not unlike our previous president Dubya, they both had questionable mental capabilities. Also, to suggest that genocide as a result of any imperialist endeavor could, in fact, be accidental or unintentional is plain unintelligent. It is as if an Armed Robber claims he didn't mean to murder his victims. Any judge and jury would recognize that A) he tried to snatch something that didn't belong to him, and B) he brought a deadly weapon. Obviously Columbus was prepared to meet with opposition and literally brought an army's worth of men and weaponry. It is time for the legend of Columbus to meet the reality, but until movies like 1492 stop being made it seems like generations to come will continue to believe that somehow this man is worth looking up to.
To use the term "defiance" to define Columbus’s daring resistance to authority or to any opposing force between him and his dream would be correct. However, I cannot help but reflect on the film and wonder if "ego" is another word that greatly defines Columbus’s discovery of the new world. (see comment by Caitlin Prozonic) The scene in which Columbus enters to convince Queen Isabella to fund his journey across the ocean comes off not as Columbus persuading her majesty to fund his dream but rather almost mocking her. Calling her “women†is almost a sign of degrading her, and then Ridley Scott ends the scene with Columbus speaking out of turn by saying, “I thought you were younger than I.†Then a smirk. This smirk is how Columbus exits, not bowing, showing appreciation for Queen Isabella’s time or trying to persuade her further. But a smirk, returning to the point that it is almost Columbus’s ego that allows him to get away with this kind of behavior throughout the film. Whether it be convincing his men that they have traveled farther than they think or telling Sanchez that “I[Columbus] did it [discovered the new world]. And you didn't."
“Ego†does seem to be a word that fits Columbus in the scene when he goes to speak to Queen Isabella about his potential journey. However, it is strange to note that the meeting does not begin this way. When he enters, Columbus walks into the room hesitantly, almost nervous about speaking with such a powerful personage, takes off his hat in homage, and bows toward the Queen, as would have been the custom and an act of courtesy. It is when the Queen mentions, “I should not even be listening to you since my council has said ‘no’†that we see the definite change in his behavior. It is as if Columbus knows that Queen Isabella is still considering funding his journey, and he sees a shadow of opportunity here because she has not completely said “no†to his request. Because he knows that she has the power to overturn the decision of her council, Columbus mentions that the Queen “[took] Granada from the Moors,†and many had thought that this venture was improbable as well. His situation is very similar, since many people find his ideas and plans unreasonable, and it seems that Columbus knows that he can use her own words and actions to help his cause. He finds a space where he can try to, and eventually succeeds in, getting a sort of sympathy and empathy from the Queen so he can get what he wants. Maybe Columbus has an ego problem, but it also seems that he is very clever. (see comment by Taylor Kite)
I do not feel that Columbus was demonstrating that he had an "ego" or was disrespectful in any way. I think he just understood what it was going to take to get through to the woman who would grant him what he wants and knew how to act upon it. Throughout the movie we get glimpses at what this adventure means to him, particularly when he first arrives on the island and sacrifices his stable, happy life at home to go out and do this. That said, any question that he would be granted the funds and permission to go would cause him to do whatever he could to get there. The encounter with Queen Isabella captures that moment. He knew how to craft his words to reach her when he needed to and did so without crossing the line too far. To me, it was a perfect conversation from Columbus's perspective, and he, as we know, got what he wanted after that. I loved this scene and its story line implications.
