Lilliputians Plot Cruel Punishment for Gulliver: Blinding and Starvation

Lemuel Gulliver, once celebrated as a hero in Lilliput, soon faced a shocking downfall when the Emperor and his council accused him of treason. Instead of opting for an immediate execution, the Lilliputians devised a slow and brutal punishment—blinding him and then reducing his food supply until he starved to death.

The charges against Gulliver were rooted in both political and personal grievances. He was impeached for extinguishing a palace fire by urinating within the royal chambers, for refusing to enslave the people of Blefuscu after defeating their navy, for treating the ambassadors of Blefuscu with respect, and for planning a diplomatic visit to the rival kingdom.

During the debates over his fate, some officials pressed for swift execution. Others, however, argued for what they called a “more merciful” option: blinding Gulliver first and then gradually cutting down his food rations. This method was considered not only a punishment but also a practical measure to avoid the immense difficulty of disposing of his massive corpse.

Fortunately for Gulliver, one loyal friend in the court secretly informed him of the sinister plan. Warned in advance, Gulliver managed to escape across the sea to Blefuscu, narrowly avoiding the horrific sentence prepared for him.