On January 17th 1779, the HMS Resolution, under the command of Captain James
Cook, and the HMS Discovery under the command of Captain Charles Clerke
anchored for the first time in a shallow bay on the west of Hawaii, which the natives
called Kealakekua Bay. Immediately, the ships were surrounded by a huge crowd of
Indians, either swimming around them or circling them in canoes. Cook describes the
situation in his journal: “I have no where in this Sea seen such a number of people
assembled at one place, besides those in the Canoes all the Shore of the bay was
covered with people and hundreds were swimming about the Ships like shoals of
fish”. Due to a lack of understanding the native’s language, Cook and his crew had
no chance of realizing that all those people had gathered not only to greet strangers
from across the ocean, but to celebrate the arrival of their god Lono, who was
believed to have sailed across the ocean in search of his wife “in time immemorial”
and was due to return. In his last journal-entry Cook writes:
“… to enrich our voyage with a discovery which, though the last, seemed, in
every respect, to be the most important that had hitherto been made by
Europeans throughout the extent of the Pacific Ocean”
[...]
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Captain James Cook
2.1. Who is “Lono” and why was Cook perceived as him?
2.2. Cook and Kalaniopu
3. The relationship between the explorers and the natives
3.1 Life as gods
3.2 Rising doubts
3.3 The return – growing tensions
4. The Dying God – The Death of Captain Cook: death of Lono
4.1. The transformation
4.2. The actual death
5. Possible opinions on the reasons for Captain Cook’s death
Research Objectives and Key Topics
This paper examines the historical and cultural circumstances surrounding the death of Captain James Cook in Hawaii, specifically analyzing his perception as the god "Lono" by the indigenous population and the subsequent shift in his relationship with the natives from divine figures to enemies.
- The mythological identification of Captain Cook with the Hawaiian god Lono.
- The dynamics of the initial contact and the socioeconomic interactions between British explorers and Hawaiians.
- The socio-political role of the priesthood in framing Cook’s arrival.
- The factors leading to the escalating tensions and eventual violent conflict.
- The analysis of diverse historical perspectives regarding the causes of Cook’s death.
Excerpt from the Book
4.2. The actual death
Near the waterside, the convoy was suddenly stopped by Kalaniopu’s wife and two of the lesser chiefs. Apparently they had already come to the conclusion that the intentions of the former friendly gods were not to be trusted anymore, at least not with the life of their king. By telling Kalaniopu stories and myths about kings being killed by gods, they tried to convince him not to go aboard with the British. Lt. Phillips recounts, that “they [the surrounding Hawaiians] were not very well disposed towards us, and the marines being huddled together in the midst of an immense mob (…)”
While the king was sitting on the ground, listening to the chattering of his wife and his chiefs, an old man started chanting and offering a coconut so persistently that the British were not able to get rid of him. Lt. Phillips believed it to be the “’artful rascal of a priest’ [who] was carrying on to divert attention from the fact that his countrymen, gather to the number of two or three thousand, were now arming to defend their king”63, who now “appear’d dejected and frighten’d”61.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: Provides an overview of the initial contact between the HMS Resolution, the HMS Discovery, and the native Hawaiians at Kealakekua Bay in 1779, establishing the context of Cook's arrival.
2. Captain James Cook: Explores the cultural significance of "Lono" and the political interactions between Captain Cook and the Hawaiian King Kalaniopu.
3. The relationship between the explorers and the natives: Analyzes the initial peaceful co-existence, the growth of mutual tensions, and the impact of the explorers' return on the perceptions of the native population.
4. The Dying God – The Death of Captain Cook: death of Lono: Details the final sequence of events leading to the confrontation and the eventual death of Captain Cook on the beach.
5. Possible opinions on the reasons for Captain Cook’s death: Reviews various historical viewpoints and scholarly arguments regarding the causes and avoidability of the tragic escalation.
Keywords
Captain James Cook, Lono, Hawaii, Kealakekua Bay, Kalaniopu, Explorers, Indigenous population, Mythology, Cultural contact, British Empire, Priesthood, Makahiki, Exploration, Colonialism, Historical analysis.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this academic work?
The paper examines the historical context behind the death of Captain James Cook, focusing on the cultural misinterpretation that led the Hawaiians to identify him with their god Lono.
What central themes are explored in the text?
The core themes include the intersection of myth and reality, the social dynamics between the British crew and indigenous people, and the political motivations behind early contacts.
What is the main research question or goal?
The work aims to explain how the perception of Cook shifted from a venerated "divine being" to a "mortal enemy" within a span of only five weeks.
Which methodology is applied in this research?
The study employs a historical and literary analysis, synthesizing journal entries of the crew members with scholarly interpretations of Hawaiian mythology and social structures.
What aspects of the narrative are covered in the main body?
The main body details the arrival of the ships, the specific role of the Hawaiian priesthood in shaping public perception, the incidents involving theft, and the final fatal clash on the shore.
How would you summarize the work in a few keywords?
Key terms include Captain James Cook, Lono, Hawaii, cultural contact, divinity, and historical escalation.
How did the priesthood influence the perception of the British?
The text suggests that the priesthood utilized the arrival of the British as a strategic "counterweight" to the ruling King by framing Cook as the returning god Lono.
Did the British have any role in the escalation of the conflict?
The text analyzes whether Cook's increasing temper, his misplaced confidence in his firearms, and his tactical errors contributed significantly to the tragic outcome.
Why did the return of the ships cause such hostility?
The unexpected return caused suspicion among the Hawaiians, creating a fear that the "gods" intended to settle permanently and seize control of their country.
- Quote paper
- Lars-Benja Braasch (Author), 2005, Life and death of Captain James Cook as the Hawaiian god „Lono“, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/124335
