Facets of Malintzin

 Since Malintzin was written about only in the vaguest references, we can only speculate about her character and her circumstances. However, we can sift through the evidence that is around and make some educated guesses. That is what Townsend does in her book; because there is next to nothing about Malintzin herself, Townsend's book is more of a history of the events surrounding Malintzin. Townsend also tries to tell us about a woman who tried to do the best with her life, and I think she does.

I found several images of Malintzin that are all different but equally fascinating. The first image of Cortes and Malintzin is very romanticized and something along the lines of Roman classical art and medieval art. The image shows Cortes and Malintzin as a couple in love. Clasping each others' hands, looking lovingly into each others' eyes... Malintzin herself is even dressed more sensually than in most other images. Though Cortes and Malintzin had a child together, Townsend's account leads us to believe that this romantic relationship wasn't true. Cortes was a powerful man in an age when dalliances with many women were the "thing." It's likely that Cortes had children with a few other women, and also if Malintzin was so loved by Cortes, he would have married her (instead of marrying her off to Juan Jaramillo).

  This second image is quite interesting as well. It shows a sleeping Malintzin in a bed, covered in a blanket with a city on the bedspread. This photo has a definite European influence - the wrought-iron bed, the building at the top of Malintzin - clearly European and not Mesoamerican. Malintzin is fast asleep but she has her hand across her forehead. She looks troubled as she sleeps. Perhaps in this image, she's troubled by the heavy Spanish influence over Mexico and her homeland. The church/building at the top of the hill shows dominance over the man below. Could this image represent Malintzin's subconscious regret over helping the Spanish?

This third image represents more of the Malintzin that we're familiar with and the woman that Townsend tried to portray in her book. This is at the first meeting of Moctezuma and Cortes, with Malintzin right by Cortes' side, a prominent role and right there to translate. All three have their hands out, gesturing, translating, talking. Malintzin and others are portrayed this way in a lot of other images - gesturing. There are images of religion on both sides - Cortes has a banner of the Virgin Mary (subversively perhaps trying to already push his religion), and the bright sun on a fan behind Moctezuma. Malintzin herself is dressed more respectfully and in a similar fashion as she is in other depictions. I believe that this photo represents Malintzin at her best. She's in a position of power, standing with these two leading men, sharing their words. This was the job she took on. She overcame a mysterious and possibly tragic past to become (perhaps) the most powerful and influential women in Mesoamerica.