Summary of Malitzen: Enslaved Interpreter for Hernan Cortés (WAMS E02)
The video discusses the life of Malitzen, also known as La Malinche, who was born around 1500 in the Yucatan Peninsula. Enslaved at a young age, she became fluent in Yucatec and Spanish. In 1519, she was given to the Spanish conquistador Hernán Cortés as part of a peace offering. Unlike other enslaved women who served as domestic workers, Malitzen's linguistic skills made her an invaluable interpreter for Cortés, aiding him in the conquest of the Aztec Empire.
Malitzen communicated directly with the Aztec ruler Montezuma II and was entrusted by Cortés to negotiate with Aztec representatives. Following the fall of Tenochtitlan in 1521, Cortés credited her as a key factor in his success. Despite her significant role, she remained a slave, bound to Cortés's commands. In 1524, she was married to one of Cortés's captains, which elevated her status to that of a free Spanish noblewoman. She later gave birth to two children, including a daughter named María, who were among the first mixed-race individuals to enter Spanish nobility.
Today, Malitzen is often viewed as a traitor for her role in the Spanish conquest, but the video emphasizes that her actions must be understood in the context of her status as an enslaved woman who had limited freedom to make her own choices.
Speakers
- Narrator (voiceover)
Notable Quotes
— 02:28 — « Today malizin is considered by many to be a traitor who hasn't the fall of the aztec empire. »
— 02:44 — « It's important to remember that as an enslaved woman she lacked the freedom to make her own choices. »