# The Captain — The Life and Adventures of Robinson Crusoe character guide

> The Captain in The Life and Adventures of Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** the captain, The captain

**First appearance:** 0016-xvii-visit-of-mutineers

## Snapshot

An English commander whose ship falls to his own crew, and whose rescue turns Crusoe from castaway into liberator.

## Who they are

He arrives on the island as a prisoner of his own men, stripped of command and bargaining for his life with a stranger who has lived outside all authority for decades. His plight hands Crusoe something the island never could: a chance to act on someone else's behalf and to re-enter the world of rank, obligation, and repayment. He matters because he converts Crusoe's hard-won self-sufficiency into leverage, and because his gratitude is the hinge on which the castaway's return to England eventually turns.

## Relationships

### [Robinson Crusoe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/robinson_crusoe_se/characters/robinson_crusoe)

_professional_

Crusoe assists the English captain in retaking his ship from mutineers, establishing a relationship of mutual respect and obligation.

### [Tom Smith](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/robinson_crusoe_se/characters/tom_smith)

_professional_

Tom Smith is a member of the captain's crew, likely a loyal sailor involved in the mutiny suppression.

### [Atkins](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/robinson_crusoe_se/characters/atkins)

_rivalry_

Atkins is a mutineer who opposes the captain, representing a direct antagonist in the power struggle.

### [Friday](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/robinson_crusoe_se/characters/friday)

_friendship_

Friday assists the captain alongside Crusoe, forming a cooperative alliance against the mutineers.

### [Xury](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/robinson_crusoe_se/characters/xury)

_social_

The Captain likely encounters Xury briefly as part of Crusoe's early adventures, with minimal direct interaction.

### [Robinson Crusoe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/robinson_crusoe_se/characters/robinson_crusoe)

_professional_

Crusoe assists the English captain in retaking his ship from mutineers, establishing a relationship of mutual respect and obligation.

### [Robinson Crusoe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/robinson_crusoe_se/characters/robinson_crusoe)

_professional_

Crusoe assists the English captain in retaking his ship from mutineers, establishing a relationship of mutual respect and obligation.

### [Tom Smith](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/robinson_crusoe_se/characters/tom_smith)

_professional_

Tom Smith is a member of the captain's crew, likely a loyal sailor involved in the mutiny suppression.

### [Tom Smith](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/robinson_crusoe_se/characters/tom_smith)

_professional_

Tom Smith is a member of the captain's crew, likely a loyal sailor involved in the mutiny suppression.

### [Atkins](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/robinson_crusoe_se/characters/atkins)

_rivalry_

Atkins is a mutineer who opposes the captain, representing a direct antagonist in the power struggle.

### [Atkins](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/robinson_crusoe_se/characters/atkins)

_rivalry_

Atkins is a mutineer who opposes the captain, representing a direct antagonist in the power struggle.

## In the story

### [Wrecked on a Desert Island](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/robinson_crusoe_se/chapters/iii-wrecked-on-a-desert-island)

The Portuguese captain who rescues Crusoe, gives him advice, and helps him establish his plantation.

### [Visit of Mutineers](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/robinson_crusoe_se/chapters/xvii-visit-of-mutineers)

Leads the attack on the mutineers, spares some, and is deeply moved by Crusoe's story.

### [The Ship Recovered](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/robinson_crusoe_se/chapters/xviii-the-ship-recovered)

Leads the assault to recapture the ship, wounds the rebel captain, and declares the ship to be Crusoe's.

### [Return to England](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/robinson_crusoe_se/chapters/xix-return-to-england)

Helps Crusoe reclaim his plantation; receives reward and annuity from Crusoe.

### [Fight Between Friday and a Bear](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/robinson_crusoe_se/chapters/xx-fight-between-friday-and-a-bear)

Referenced as the captain of the ship in which Crusoe's nephew sailed; also the captain of the ship that rescued Crusoe earlier.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/robinson_crusoe_se/characters/the_captain
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/robinson_crusoe_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/robinson_crusoe_se/characters