The “Middle Passage” Poem by Robert Hayden

This essay analyzes Robert Hayden’s poem Middle Passage and explores the broader historical context of African slavery. It examines the emotional and physical suffering of enslaved Africans, highlighting the brutality of the transatlantic slave trade. Drawing from historical sources, the paper challenges the simplistic narrative of European oppression by revealing that slavery existed within Africa prior to European involvement. Hayden’s poem, alongside scholarly accounts, reveals the complicity of African leaders and the inhumanity of commodifying people. This exploration encourages a more nuanced understanding of slavery as a complex historical phenomenon involving multiple actors.