The Myth of Don Juan: Origins and Evolution
Origin and Myth of Don Juan
The figure of Don Juan, created by Tirso de Molina in “The Trickster of Seville” and recreated by José Zorrilla in the 19th century in his “Don Juan Tenorio”, has been one of the most productive contributions of Spanish literature to European culture. Its influence is evident in various art forms:
- Opera: Don Giovanni by Mozart
- A symphonic poem by Richard Strauss
- The Don Juan of Molière or Lord Byron
These examples demonstrate the enduring impact of this character. The Don Juan, the trickster, likely existed in the popular imagination before solidifying in literature. His survival as a myth reflects a moralizing and chaotic societal mood that aims to maintain the established order.
The origins of the myth and its treatment of death have been sought in legends, ballads, and traditions. Legends and traditions like those of Seville, featuring Vazquez de Leca, a bold man who chases a woman until he unveils a skull instead of her face, or the tale of Miguel de Mañana, which includes his own funeral, are often cited.
Don Juan represents a complete disregard for rules and norms. Neither the church nor moral justice holds any value for him; only pleasure and a meaningless life matter. This embodies one of humanity’s oldest dreams: a life of absolute freedom. However, it also represents the worst nightmare imaginable for the rigid mentality of Counter-Reformation Spain. Tirso’s Don Juan meets a tragic end, consumed by hellfire. Zorrilla’s Don Juan, on the other hand, dies redeemed by love and repentance. His actions are acknowledged as wrong and punished accordingly.
Interestingly, this outcome has been forgotten in the myth’s transition to reality. Today, “being a Don Juan” is a compliment, the highest praise for a “macho”. This implies that the man’s primary role is to seduce women, who are expected to fall at his feet. A few well-known verses and the basic idea of a man capable of seducing any woman, including a nun, are all that remain of the original Don Juan. What has led to this simplification of a complex literary character? While Zorrilla’s “Don Juan Tenorio” is a widely known Spanish literary work, the myth has become trivialized, neglecting the profound portrait Tirso de Molina painted of the human condition. Through this contradictory character, driven by utter selfishness, he explored the clash between instinct and religious beliefs, behavioral norms, and often absurd laws that civilized society has used to control that instinct for centuries.
The Gallant and the Lady in Baroque Comedy
In these comedies, the plot often revolves around an amorous conflict between the protagonists, typically a gallant and a lady.
The Gallant embodies moral understanding, courage, and constancy in love. However, in Tirso’s “The Trickster”, Don Juan deviates from this archetype, representing immorality. This is one of Tirso’s innovations in New Comedy.
The Lady, young and single or married, combines inner and outer beauty. She is the object of the Gallant’s affection or a wife defending her family’s honor, demonstrating initiative when necessary. However, the dramatic role of women often appears subordinate to the Gallant.
Themes in “The Trickster”
We can distinguish between real and symbolic themes.
Real Themes:
- Warnings: Don Juan is continuously warned about his wrongdoing. One recurring warning is the phrase: “Don’t tempt fate!”.
- Deception: Deception is inherent to Don Juan’s character. However, he is ultimately tricked by the statue of the Commander, Don Gonzalo, the father of Doña Ana whom Don Juan had killed.
- Promises: Don Juan promises marriage to Isabela, Tisbea, and Arminta. In contrast, he keeps his word to the statue of the Commander, who invites him to dinner. Unfortunately for Don Juan, this is the only promise he fulfills.
Symbolic Themes:
- Fire: Fire imagery permeates the entire work:
- The fire of love in the words of many admirers.
- The fire of passion and dishonor in Tisbea’s lament.
- The symbolic “burning in divine justice” at the end, when the Commander returns the dinner invitation and Don Juan, upon shaking the statue’s hand, is dragged into the fires of hell.
- Night: The trickster’s key actions, including those related to love and death, occur at night: “These are my hours,” says Don Juan.