Would you say that Diaz del Castillo and de Cuneo demonstrate a similar or different ideas about the role of Spanish conquerors in the new world? To what extent are their understandings of conquest informed by particular understandings and ideals of heroic masculinity?
3 thoughts on “Manhood and Conquest: Castillo, de Cuneo, de las Casas, and others”
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Diaz del Castillo and Michel de Cueno have divergent understandings of the Spanish conqueror’s role in the New World. De Cueno, clearly occupying a position of authority, merely sees the New World as a savage and distant land that should be exploited, claimed, and conquered for whatever riches and pleasures it has to offer. He catalogues Columubus’ second voyage as a series of landings on nondescript islands, where the fleet encounters nondescript “cannibals,” whom they kill, enslave, and rape with vaguely bemused triumph. With virtually no understanding of the political or cultural landscape of these places and people, De Cueno views Spanish conquest as a noble and naturally justified enterprise in the face of the curiosities of simplistic savagery. As a ideal conquering masculine figure, it is his right to take what he wants.
In contrast, Diaz del Castillo brings a more complex and nuanced perspective to his experience. His writings come alive with the rich textures of the sophisticated cultural and political churnings of the great civilization that surrounds him. A professional soldier, del Castillo seems uninspired by the imperialist ideology, glory, and ambition that drives figures like de Cueno and Cortes. Spending significant time immersed in indigenous culture, he is both perceptive and wary. Del Castillo is at once in awe of the Aztecs, and simply fighting for survival as the loyal instrument of Spanish conquest. In the aftermath of the horrific conquest, he sees the destruction and endless violence as almost pointless. He insinuates that, while Cortes may revel triumphantly in his ambition and greed, the compensation for the common soldiers is a laughable and meaningless compensation for a hollow victory that means little to him.
While both de Cuneo and Diaz del Castillo offer images of Spanish military conquests of the new world, Diaz del Castillo’s allows for some questioning of that process. For de Cuneo, the idea of conquest extended into all realms of his account – not only of the natives, but also the land itself and the women. His account of having “his way” with a native woman is strikingly similar to the process of the Spanish taking the islands. There is initially resistance, but ultimately the conqueror overcomes the native and “rapes” the people and land. For him, masculinity is enacted in overpowering the natives. Diaz del Castillo also paints and image of conquest, but this image is troubled. Masculinity is painted as an image of respect and honor. This is seen most clearly in the exchange of items between Cortes and Montezuma. Other images of Montezuma being carried by vassals and the honor paid to Cortes similarly show Diaz del Castillo’s association between masculinity and honor. Furthermore, rather than priding himself in the conquest of Technotitlan, Diaz del Castillo seems troubled by it. He reports the horrifying battle between the civilizations and even shares how the vast riches expected from victory weren’t anywhere to be found – perhaps drawing this terrible battle as futile. While de Cuneo ties masculinity to conquest, Diaz del Castillo associates it with acts of respect and honor.
De Cuneo and Diaz del Castillo’s accounts of acquisition demonstrate differing viewpoints about the role of Spanish conquerors in the new world. De Cuneo assumes a nonchalant tone as he speaks about his experiences, implying that the Spanish believed the new land was rightfully theirs. He disregards the fact that Cannibals already occupied these places and sees them merely as objects to enslave and use for their own enjoyment. His narrative highlights the exploitive nature of the Spanish men, playing to a certain ideal of heroic masculinity; to him, masculinity is equated with conquest and one’s right to seize and settle land. Del Castillo, on the other hand, provides a much more personal and distressed picture of conquest. He delves into the gritty details, “full of the sights and sounds, beauties and horrors” of European expansion, allowing for a more in-depth understanding of the interactions between the Spanish and the natives. Del Castillo describes how both civilizations initially hoped to respect and please one another by bestowing gold and other gifts, instead of resorting to warfare. Del Castillo is saddened by the turn of events and believes their triumph to be pointless—he values honor and civility, rather than materialism and subjugation.