Visits that Changed the View (excerpt)

by YankeeJim | November 24, 2009 at 02:08 pm

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Captain John Smith

“Virginians know that Captain John Smith was one of the first American heroes. But because he was a proud and boastful man, it is difficult to know which parts of his life are fact and which are fiction. What many people may not know is that Smith's adventures started even before Jamestown.

Born in 1580 in Willoughby, England, John Smith left home at age 16 after his father died. He began his travels by joining volunteers in France who were fighting for Dutch independence from Spain. Two years later, he set off for the Mediterranean Sea, working on a merchant ship. In 1600 he joined Austrian forces to fight the Turks in the "Long War." A valiant soldier, he was promoted to Captain while fighting in Hungary. He was fighting in Transylvania two years later in 1602. There he was wounded in battle, captured, and sold as a slave to a Turk. This Turk then sent Smith as a gift to his sweetheart in Istanbul. According to Smith, this girl fell in love with him and sent him to her brother to get training for Turkish imperial service. Smith reportedly escaped by murdering the brother and returned to Transylvania by fleeing through Russia and Poland. After being released from service and receiving a large reward, he traveled all through Europe and Northern Africa. He returned to England in the winter of 1604-05.

In London, he actively promoted the further colonization of Virginia, but was unpopular with the Virginia Company. In April 1614, he returned to the New World in a successful voyage to the Maine and Massachusetts Bay areas, which he named New England, with the approval of Prince Charles. He was denied further opportunities to return to America due to his independent nature and spent the rest of his life writing books until his death in 1631 at age 51.”

(The NARRATOR asks the audience to repeat the names after he/she says them. Actors move across the stage as they are introduced.)

“Matoaka” – this is the birth name of Pocahontas. Say “Matoaka.”

“Pocahontas” – this is the popular name given to Matoaka as a child that describes her being a playful and frolicsome little girl. Say “Pocahontas.”

“Powhatan” – is the tribal chief and Pocahontas’ father. Say “Powhatan.” But, his real name was “Wahunsonacock.” The Native Americans believed that they could hide from evil spirits by not using their real name. However, Powhatan was the name Englishmen gave to Wahunsonacock because it was easier to say?

“Kokoum” – is Pocahontas’ tribal husband. Say “Kokoum.”

“Algonquian” – means at the waterfalls and is the name of the Native American nation to which Powhatan’s tribe belonged. Say Algonquian.

“Werowocomoco” – is the tribal village and home of Pocahontas.
Say “Werowocomoco.”

SETTING

Werowocomoco village 12 miles from what would become Jamestown, Virginia, America – feature a totem pole with words saying “Welcome to Werowocomoco, population 300.”

TIME

May 1607, early morning at sunrise

SCENES

ACT I

Scene 1

Outside Pocahontas’ tent—May 1607

Early morning

Scene 2

Werowocomoco (Tribal Village) at the shoreline—December 1607; arrival of John Smith.

Morning

Scene 3

Around the fire

After dusk

SCENE 1

(Pocahontas comes outside her hut and sees her father standing there.)

POCAHONTAS

Good morning father. It looks like another beautiful day in paradise.

POWHATAN

My dear child, you are so happy and optimistic. You must keep your spirits high. Yet, I tell you, my warriors have told me that strangers have arrived in large canoes with tall teepees. The people look tired and confused. I told them to bring their leader to me so that we can understand their intentions. When they come, please stay close to your teepee and to your mother and your little sister.

POCAHONTAS

(Enthusiastic and inquisitive)

Oh, I want to see them. Why do they come here?

POWHATAN

We shall soon learn about them. But you know they do not speak our language; they seem to be illiterate. Most important, I must keep our people safe from any evil, and we must test their leader to understand their purpose.

POCAHONTAS

Do you plan to have their leader for dinner?

POWHATAN

Yes, we will have a great feast. We will watch the leader and try to understand him. We will test him to see how he reacts to our customs. You know, we always put young tribesmen through a ritual to see how they react to stressful situations. It is in those moments we learn a person’s values. First we will feed him, and then we will test his will.

POCAHONTAS

Well, father, you are most wise, I think that it is best to be nice first, and then if they act poorly, treat them justly.

(Taken back by such wisdom.)

POWHATAN

You are so smart, Pocahontas. You make a wonderful Princess.

TRIBESMAN

Yonder, chief, we have seized their leader. (Pointing in the distance toward the shoreline)