Brief analysis of the work «Don Juan Tenorio» by José Zorrilla

Today, Valentine, we bring you the brief analysis of a romantic drama story, specifically, that of the play he wrote Jose Zorrilla in 1844, "Don Juan Tenorio". To understand this work of the dramatic genre a little more, we are going to know a little about its author and the time in which it is located.

Author and context

José Zorrilla belonged to a family of absolutist monarchical ideals and began his law studies, which he later abandoned. He began to be known in the literary circle after he narrated at the funeral of lara, some verses in the cemetery in his honor. It can be said that he is one of the few authors of that time who enjoyed fame while alive: he traveled to France and lived for a while in Mexico. Ideologically speaking, his work focuses on traditional romanticism.

"Don Juan Tenorio"

The play, which although romantic in nature, is staged in many theaters in the Day of the Dead, breaks with the traditional rule of 3 units. It is characterized by an abundant number of acts, which appear titled. Its external structure is divided into two parts:

  • La Part develops a human and loving adventure.
  • La second focuses mainly on the religious and supernatural spirit.

Given these two very different parts, a work of pure and thoughtful reflection makes its way.

Both parts, each develop in one night and there is a time difference of 5 years between them. This work, which longs for the past (characteristic and common of traditional Romanticism), is located in the Spain of Carlos V.

Su main character, Don Juan, present in The Trickster of SevilleHe is an amoral, libertine young man who seduces women, no matter the number, who finally lives a supernatural encounter thus unleashing the last moment of the work, his salvation or eternal damnation. José Zorrilla, unlike the baroque work, focuses on a single love affair and presents a main character, in this case Don Juan, who repents and achieves salvation through love.

His second character is Don Luis Mejía, whom Don Juan ends up killing in the play. This character has been seen as a representation of the sin of Don Juan. For this reason, the death of Luis Mejía symbolizes the end of his past life.

Mrs. Ines, the character opposite Don Juan, is the one who brings goodness and innocence to the work. Doña Inés is the one who bends Don Juan's wickedness and appears very close to divinity: an angel of love who is capable of acting as a mediator between God and the world. In it, José Zorrilla tries to represent the belief in the salvation of the human being, reflecting the importance it has for the human being, the values ​​of goodness and faith. Also the possibility of finding true love.

Scene from the play "Don Juan Tenorio" directed by Blanca Portillo

A bit of the work ...

  • The bet: Don Juan bets with Don Luis Mejía, his competitor, that within six days he will seduce Doña Inés, a novice who is about to become a nun, and also Doña Ana, whom Don Luis is going to marry.
  • Don Juan achieves his purpose, but fell madly in love with Doña Inés, kidnapping her. The Commander, father of Inés and Don Luis seek revenge. Don Juan, after trying an unsuccessful reconciliation with them, kills them and has to flee from Seville. It is when Don Juan declares his true love to Doña Inés before the tragedy. Hence these famous lines: Ah! Isn't it true, angel of love, that on this purest secluded shore the moon shines and you breathe better? ».
  • Death and salvation: When Don Juan returns five years later to Seville, his home, his palace, he collects a pantéon that houses the tombs of Don Luis Mejía, the Commander, and of Doña Inés, who died of sadness. At the end of the play, the Commander's statuette tries to drag don Juan to hell, but the ghost of Dona Inés intercedes for him, thus achieving his repentance and eternal salvation.

A beautiful love story ... Without a doubt.

Related article:
What did the literature of Romanticism leave us in Spain?

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  1.   McKenzie said

    I am fifteen years old and I am reading this book in school. It is very interesting and captures my attention for a long time. But I don't like Don Juan very much because he is very selfish and believes that everything in the world can be bought. Well, someone who has an opposite opinion of me please tell me your words on this.

    1.    Authorless said

      I did not understand the book very well, did Don Juan know that internal affairs were setting him up?

      1.    The bastard said

        We are all shishigang

      2.    monk said

        bitch

  2.   Ozuna said

    shut up moron

    1.    johana said

      for people like you is that we are like this

  3.   Well, who else? said

    fuck off

  4.   ignairim said

    GIVES ME FLOGERA READ AND I HAVE TO DO IT

  5.   .................................................. .................................................. .................................................. .......................................... said

    I am 11 years old I read it in class and they have told me to investigate what literary genre it belongs to, I am not very clear

  6.   Jaro said

    it is a romantic and dramatic text

  7.   ELSA PORRICO said

    PULENTO EL POEM, SOSAMAFIA