Rinconete & Cortadillo: Joining Monipodio’s Thieves Guild
Indoctrination of Rinconete and Cortadillo
The street porter indoctrinates the two boys, Rinconete and Cortadillo. One of the most important aspects is how the boy tries to convince Rinconete and Cortadillo of how good Monipodio is. He explains the benefits of being at his service, emphasizing that without joining Monipodio, stealing will be very difficult and bring many problems. The boy ironically states that Monipodio’s brotherhood serves God and good people.
Monipodio’s Guild: Definition and Customs
The guild is defined as good and dedicated to God, even though they are really out to steal. Among their financial and religious habits, it should be highlighted that they give something of what is stolen to the oil lamp of a very devout image. They pray the rosary distributed throughout the week. Many of them do not steal on Fridays, and on Saturdays, they cannot have conversations with any woman named Mary.
Rincon and Cortado’s Reaction
They are initially surprised and puzzled when the waiter tells them that their robberies are dedicated to God and good people, and that the act of stealing is controlled by someone. Ultimately, they are interested in joining the guild and meeting the teacher, Monipodio, beforehand, although they know that it is a brotherhood with activities and services totally against what they claimed.
The Suspenseful Introduction of Monipodio
There is a certain suspense, as the boy initially treats Monipodio as a much higher being, describing him as the teacher of robberies in an exceptional way. But in the end, when they arrive home, Rinconete and Cortadillo must wait to meet with Monipodio, lengthening his appearance.
The Narrator’s Role
In this passage, the narrator intervenes only to clarify who is speaking at any given time, since this fragment of the novel is mostly a conversation.
A Moral Journey?
Yes, as the boy tells of everything related to the activities of the fraternity and its “service to God,” it makes Rinconete and Cortadillo reflect on the true activities of the fraternity. Its intention is far from the truth that the brotherhood transmits. It shows them that stealing is not an activity that can be offered to God, and that each one serves God in his own way. This makes Rinconete and Cortadillo reflect on their craft and appreciate it.
Dialogue Technique
These linkages are based on an initial contribution by the waiter and then a reply from Rinconete or Cortadillo, reproaching the young man’s comment as a surprise.
Stylistic Features
Emphasis is placed on antithesis, enumerations, alliteration, and contradictions. Throughout the text, there are many ironies.
Vulgar Speech and Jargon (Germanesca)
Regarding vulgar speech, several phenomena are present, such as reductions in certain vowel diphthongs (pathologies-theologies), and alternation of clusters in which the scheme is contracted preposition + pronoun (del-e).
There are several peculiarities in speech that are germanesca (thieves’ jargon), such as: *Murcia* (thieves), *finibusterrae* (by hanging), *back* (hit), *gurapas* (galleys), *novice* (beginner), *cravings* (torments of water), *quadroon* (cattle thief), *bray* (donkeys), *sing* (confess). These words belong to the slang of thieves and rogues.