The fourth chapter of Malintin's Choices, is arguably the most compelling and nerve-wracking narratives that I have read this semester. The constant back and forth of language and rhetorical courtesies between Cortes and Moctezuma reads as much like a tight political drama (probably as a result of flowery, highly-embellished sources as anything) as a boxing match between two quick witted opponents. Townsend paints a picture of two highly intelligent, strategic forces trying to make snap decisions as the two cultures finally meet head to head. At the center of this is Malintzin, the woman who is controlling the flow of information between the two men. She had the power to alter what was and was not said (Pg 86, Moctezuma's flowery speech cut down) and tried to use that skill to her advantage. Her involvement is icing on the drama cake and really drives the story home as it truly effected people of all walks of life (and gender).
The Mexica King is not a guileless victim of a technologically superior foe in this narrative, quite the opposite, he is operating well within the typical manner of kings of his stripe. The situation was really just hopeless; he would have been damned politically had he threw everything possible at the Spaniards, but letting them close was also exceptionally dangerous. Unlike Prescott (to a degree), Townsend gives the King a bit more benefit of the doubt, and treats him as equal with the Europeans in terms of political, rhetorical, and strategical skills.
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