http://www.cms.fu-berlin.de/lai/e-learning/projekte/caminos/kulturkontakt_kolonialzeit/bildergalerien/malintzin/
I think that this picture
portrays Malintzin as if she was royalty. In the picture Cortes and Malintzin
are holding hands like if they were in love. The way they look at each other seems
like they are passionate about one another. It looks like they are truly in
love. In the picture Malintzin is also has a lot of jewelry which makes me
think that she is at a high status and wealthy. In the picture Cortes looks
like he is caring because he has his hard suit off and is showing his true
feelings for Malintzin. They both look like they are secluded from the rest of
the world. Also in the picture Malintzin also looks like she has kept her
indigenous side, with not wearing any shoes, to the feather on her head. But
she has also adapted the Spaniard side with the big clothes and the way she
sits. I think that in the book Townsend doesn’t portray her in the way this
picture does. The way that Townsend made me picture was this indigenous women that was simple from the clothes she wears to the way she acts. The picture was not the way I think that Townsend wanted to portray Malintzin in the book.
The vibe which this picture gives me makes me think of manipulation. On the surface, it does appear to be a tender, heartfelt moment between Malintzin and Cortes. But from the look in their eyes, it seems like neither one is being completely honest with the other. In Cortes' case, he seems to be trying to win over Malintzin's loyalty and affection by showing his more compassionate and human side, hence the removed armor. The fact that Malintzin is clothed in fancy Spanish attire also speaks to this case. It seems as though Cortes is providing her with luxuries and treating kindly because he wants her to realize all the rewards which will come from helping he and the Spanish achieve their goals of conquest.
ReplyDeleteIn Malintzin's case, she can also be seen as trying to manipulate her love interest. One could interpret the picture slightly differently to show that Malintzin is bringing Cortes into her own services. The removed armor could show that she is able to get to his personal side, showing that Malintzin, through a little affection, was capable of getting the driven, self-righteous Cortes to take his eye off the task at hand in order to please her. Malintzin appears to be using this personal connection that she has with Cortes to get him to take care of her, and her needs and desires. She knew that, in her position, she could get what she needed as long as she remained close with Cortes. This shows this picture may be more about manipulation than love.
Towsend argues that Malintzin was an intelligent, strong woman besides all the stereotypes against her. This was a great picture of Malintzin, but I feel that it is more of manipulation than love. I agree with Iliana that the feather in Malintzin’s head to her not wearing shoes symbolizes her indigenous roots. Malintzin is portrayed as high-class with the fancy dress and all the jewelry. It seems as if things have gone well for her. In the picture, Cortes seems to treat her gently. I agree with Nick that him not having his armor shows that his relationship with Malintzin ahs reached a more personal level. Towsend would say this woman has things under control. She seems confident because she looks pleased that the male, Cortes, is holding her hand. It seems as if he were asking her something wanting her approval. There is something thought that the artist wanted the audience to realize when looking at Malinztin, her eyes. Her face is not completey facing Cortes, it is slightly tilted with devious look in her eyes. Looking at the background, you can tell they are still in the New World because of the tents. Therefore, Cortes has tried to shower Malintzin with Spanish riches. Towsend would argue that the Spanish did not take advantage of Maltinzin. Malintzin was aware of her situation and this picture shows how Cortes wants to please her. At the end of the day, Cortes couldn’t have conquered the New World if it wasn’t for the “invisible allies,” mainly Malintzin.
ReplyDeleteThis picture of Malintzin and Cortez does not seem like a picture that would fit in the Towsend's book. Townsend's book tries to see the Spanish conquest through the eyes of indigenous indians like the Nahuas. Whenever Towsend can she tries to see it through Malintzin's eyes because her short life was so poorly documented. I do agree with Iliana's symbolism of this picture that is showing Cortez showing his devotion to give her the life of a nobility if she help him get the conquest. Malinzin's portrait in this picture shows her in all Spanish attire accept for the feather on her head which is the only sign that she is indigenous. The way Matlintzin is portrayed in this picture as a spanish lady even in her facial features. It show Cortez with battle armor as if to show that Cortez took it off to show that he means no harm and with his hand over his heart to show that he loves her.
ReplyDeleteThis picture of Matlintzin would definitely not fit in Towsend's book simply because the picture see's Malintzin through the eyes of the Spanish and Towsend 's book was through the eye's of the indigenous people and Matlinzin.