Glossary
Catalinón
Don Juan's loyal servant and confidant, who often serves as the voice of reason and morality, warning his master about the consequences of his actions.
Example:
Catalinón's fearful pronouncements about hell often go unheeded by the arrogant Don Juan.
Catholic monarchy
Refers to the powerful Catholic rulers of Spain, particularly during the Golden Age, who exerted significant religious and political influence.
Example:
The authority of the Catholic monarchy is subtly challenged by Don Juan's disregard for moral and legal codes.
Catholicism
The dominant religion in Spain during the Golden Age, whose doctrines and values heavily influenced the societal norms and the play's themes of sin and redemption.
Example:
The ultimate punishment of Don Juan reflects the strong influence of Catholicism and its emphasis on repentance and divine judgment.
Consequences
The results or effects of an action, particularly the negative repercussions faced by Don Juan for his immoral behavior.
Example:
The dramatic climax of the play highlights the dire consequences of Don Juan's unrepentant lifestyle.
Deception
The act of misleading or tricking someone, a central theme in *El Burlador de Sevilla* as Don Juan consistently uses it to achieve his aims.
Example:
Don Juan's mastery of deception allows him to trick women into believing his false promises of marriage.
Don Juan Tenorio
The protagonist of the play, a reckless and charming nobleman who is a serial seducer and deceiver, known for his disregard for social and religious laws.
Example:
Don Juan Tenorio's famous phrase, 'Tan largo me lo fiáis', encapsulates his belief that divine punishment is far off.
Don Juan myth
A legendary tale centered around a libertine nobleman who seduces women and defies societal and religious norms, ultimately facing supernatural retribution.
Example:
The Don Juan myth has been reinterpreted across centuries, from Molière's 'Don Juan' to Mozart's 'Don Giovanni'.
Don Pedro Tenorio
Don Juan's uncle and the Spanish Ambassador in Naples, who attempts to cover up Don Juan's misdeeds to protect the family's honor.
Example:
Don Pedro Tenorio's efforts to shield his nephew reveal the societal pressures of maintaining family reputation.
Duke Octavio
Isabela's lover, who is initially implicated in Don Juan's deception and seeks to restore his honor and clear his name.
Example:
Duke Octavio's pursuit of justice adds another layer of conflict and entanglement to the plot.
El Burlador de Sevilla
A play by Tirso de Molina, considered the foundational work for the Don Juan myth, exploring themes of deception, seduction, and divine justice.
Example:
The character of Don Juan Tenorio in El Burlador de Sevilla became the archetype for countless subsequent literary figures.
Golden Age
A period of flourishing arts and literature in Spain, roughly from the late 15th to the late 17th century, marked by significant cultural achievements.
Example:
Many of the most influential works in AP Spanish Literature, including El Burlador de Sevilla, emerged during the Spanish Golden Age.
Hierarchical society
A social structure organized into ranks or classes, with power and status distributed unevenly, characteristic of Golden Age Spain.
Example:
Don Juan's noble status allows him to exploit the vulnerabilities of others within the hierarchical society of the time.
Honor
A crucial cultural value in Golden Age Spain, referring to a person's reputation, integrity, and social standing, often tied to family and lineage.
Example:
The concept of honor is central to the play, as characters like Don Pedro and Duke Octavio are deeply concerned with restoring their family's reputation.
Inquisition
A powerful ecclesiastical tribunal established by the Catholic Church to combat heresy, which had a strong presence in Golden Age Spain.
Example:
The pervasive influence of the Inquisition meant that religious and moral transgressions were taken very seriously in 14th-century Spain.
Isabela
A duchess and one of Don Juan's victims, whose reputation is ruined by his deception in the opening scene of the play.
Example:
Isabela's initial predicament highlights Don Juan's cunning and the immediate fallout of his actions.
Morality
Principles concerning the distinction between right and wrong or good and bad behavior, a theme constantly challenged by Don Juan's actions.
Example:
The play serves as a cautionary tale, emphasizing the importance of morality and divine justice over unchecked libertinism.
Naples
One of the diverse geographic settings in *El Burlador de Sevilla*, representing a foreign court where Don Juan's initial deceptions occur.
Example:
Don Juan's first act of deceit takes place in Naples, setting the stage for his subsequent escapades.
Seduction
The act of enticing someone into a sexual relationship, often through charm or trickery, a primary method employed by Don Juan.
Example:
The play vividly portrays the consequences of Don Juan's relentless seduction of various women.
Seville
A major city in southern Spain and a key setting in the play, particularly for the final acts and Don Juan's ultimate demise.
Example:
The dramatic confrontation with the Comendador's statue occurs in Seville, bringing Don Juan's story to its fateful conclusion.
Tarragona
A coastal city in Spain, serving as another location in the play where Don Juan continues his pattern of seduction and betrayal.
Example:
Tisbea, the fisher girl, is seduced by Don Juan in Tarragona, adding another victim to his list.
Tirso de Molina
A prominent Spanish Baroque dramatist and a key figure of Spain's Golden Age, known for his prolific output of plays.
Example:
Students often study Tirso de Molina's works to understand the theatrical innovations of the 17th century.
Tisbea
A fisher girl who is seduced and abandoned by Don Juan after she rescues him from a shipwreck, representing another class of victim.
Example:
Tisbea's lament after Don Juan's betrayal underscores the devastating impact of his actions on innocent lives.