Question

Why was gulliver punished?

Answer 1

The King decided that Gulliver should be slowly starved to death as a punishment. The King was against capital punishment, but he felt that starvation would cause weakness, and that weakness and lack of food would eventually cause his death (his smaller size would also be easier to dispose of). Obviously, the King considered starvation a manner of death for which he wouldn't be personally responsible.... hmmmm.