The theme of honor in two Novels
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The theme of honor lies at the heart of Lope de Vega's "Fuente Ovejuna" and Tirso de Molina's "The Trickster of Seville." In fact, the chief protagonists of the two plays, Commendador Fernan Gomez and Don Juan possess the common sin of dishonoring young women. While they are considered "honorable" in aristocratic circles because of their fighting prowess or their ranking, they both abuse the high esteem or the honor generally associated with their titles. However, the issue of honor does not only involve men in aristocratic circles. For a woman, honor is associated with guarding her virginity. Yet, the connotation of the word "honor" also refers to the integrity of character of every individual regardless of gender or position. The comparison of these two plays will illuminate the complete definition of the word "honor."In "Fuente Ovejuna," Fernan Gomez has usurped the meaning of "honor" when he demands to be honored by his superior, the Master of the Order. Although most people consider honor to be something that is earned, Fernan Gomez reverses this idea by defining his own conception of the word: "It is but my due/That you should honor me: I risked my life/On your behalfà" (1.69). By his constant proclamation of his own greatness, Fernan Gomez shows that he is arrogant man who has no respect for others. He has no consideration for the honor of the women in the town he rules. In his mind, they belong to him. However, Laurencia who cares about her honor has eluded his at
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and fighting ability can also be assumed by women. Therefore, in de Vega's play, women play a highly proactive role in acquiring honor for themselves. Instead of being passive victims, Laurencia and her fellow peasant women also become a part of the rebellion against Fernan Gomez (3.120).
In this play, honor is not only limited to the outward exhibition of courage and play. The inner courage required to endure the tortures of the judge who is sent to punish the individual responsible for Fernan Gomez's death is also an example of honor. The village of Fuente Ovejuna, from young boys to women, shows that their inhabitants are truly honorable people who will sacrifice their lives for the protection of the honor of their village (3.134).
Unlike "Fuente Ovejuna," de Molina's "The Trickster of Sevile" demarcates the honor of a woman and that of a man clearly. The masquerade of all the female characters from Isabel to Aminta are dishonored when their virginity is taken away by Don Juan, either by deception or promises of marriage. When the Duchess Isabel surrenders her virginity to Don Juan in the darkness, she thinks that he is Duke Octavioùthe love of her life (1.139). However, with the poor women Thisbe and Aminta, Don Juan does
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Approximate Word count = 1468
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page)
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