Overview
This lecture explores the life of Dona Marina (La Malinche), highlighting her roles as interpreter, cultural broker, and controversial figure during the Spanish conquest of the Aztec Empire.
Early Life and Slavery
- Dona Marina was born around 1505 to an elite family in southern Mexico.
- After her father's death, her family sold her into slavery to protect her half-brother's inheritance.
- She became the property of a Maya chieftain in Tabasco.
Encounter with the Spanish
- In 1519, Hernán Cortés defeated Tabasco and received Marina as a gift, along with other women.
- She was baptized and given the Christian name Dona Marina.
- Fluent in Mayan and Nahuatl (the Aztec language), she quickly learned Spanish.
Role in the Spanish Conquest
- Dona Marina served as interpreter, cross-cultural broker, and strategist for Cortés.
- Her language skills helped uncover plots and navigate Aztec society.
- She was instrumental in persuading Emperor Moctezuma to surrender to the Spanish.
- The Aztecs referred to her as La Malinche, and sometimes even called Cortés by that name.
Later Life and Legacy
- Dona Marina became Cortés’ mistress and bore him a son, who was taken to Spain.
- After the conquest, Cortés married her to Juan Jaramillo and granted her land, including former Aztec property.
- She accompanied Cortés on a mission to Honduras, where she forgave her family for selling her into slavery.
- After her death (around 1530), opinions on her legacy differed: some saw her as a traitor, others as a survivor or founding figure of mestizo (mixed-race) culture.
- She expressed loyalty to Cortés and her new life, rejecting the idea of returning to her former status.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Interpreter — someone who translates spoken language between people who do not share a common language.
- Cultural broker — an individual who mediates and facilitates interactions between people of different cultures.
- Mestizo — a person of mixed European and Indigenous American ancestry.
- Conquistador — a Spanish conqueror of the Americas in the 16th century.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review perspectives on Dona Marina's legacy for class discussion.
- Prepare questions on the roles of intermediaries in historical encounters.