Cannibalism in travel literature

The theme of cannibalism was most prevalent during the age of Exploration. Marco Polo, Sir John Mandeville, Christopher Columbus, and Bernal Diaz Del Castillo all make mention of cannibalism in their respective travel writings. There is a specific reason why this theme appeared predominantly during this period of time. The newly discovered land was presented as being full of natural resources. The presence of cannibalism labeled the natives as fierce, aggressive, wild, and barbaric. When …

…of Travel. New York: W.W. Norton & Co., 1987. Mandeville, Sir John. "From Travels." The Norton Book of Travel. New York: W.W. Norton & Co., 1987. Columbus, Christopher. "To Lord Gabriel Sanchez, Treasurer of the Spanish Court." The Norton Book of Travel. New York: W.W. Norton & Co., 1987. Diaz, Bernal Del Castillo . "From The True History of the Conquest of New Spain." The Norton Book of Travel. New York: W.W. Norton & Co., 1987.