1. Columbus appears to be a dreamer. His goals were selfish and his true knowledge weak. He was deceitful and selfish and knew how to manipulate others. Throughout his writings he refers to the things that "he" has accomplished, as if he had done them himself. He lied almost every day to the sailors according to his diary when he stated that "the real number" (Halsall) of leagues traveled each day was reported to them. He spoke of the abundance of gold he found in the islands when he wrote “most [of the rivers]… contain gold” (Belasco and Johnson 82). According to his diary entries, he observes the existence of gold only twice and both times it is seen hanging from a man's nose. For example, on October 17 he met a man who had “hung from his nose a piece of gold half the size of a castellailo” (Halsall), weighing about half a pound. Although he was told about the gold and searched for gold, he never procured any. Furthermore, he had a high opinion of himself and did not hesitate to let others know it. In his first diary he announces himself as “Don” (Halsall), it's like saying 'I'm the boss'. Furthermore, he let it be known to the king and queen that his proclaimed distinction would be passed to his eldest son, including the governorship of the islands and lands he would find on his voyage. He seems to think that what once belonged to the native islanders, will belong to him.2. It seems that this voyage and everything Columbus wrote were done out of greed. Columbus repeatedly flattered the king and queen to win them over for his desired future endeavors. The first letter written to the King and Queen of Spain immediately began with exaggerated praise. In this matter, he could have addressed them directly with a term of affection rather than with “Most Christian, High, Excellent and Mighty Princes, King and Queen of Spain” (Halsall). He then describes his intent to “carry out the embassy… carry out orders… [and] keep an account… Sovereign Princes” as he prepares to write his diary. With this in mind, the need to write a diary and keep track of his journey will prevent him from sleeping and will cause "many trials" all for "Your Highness". When the land was found, Columbus was the one who "carried the royal standard" when he went ashore and "took possession of it... for the king and queen".