Bernal Diad Del Castillo Summary

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Bernal Díad del Castillo Why is Castillo writing this “true history” at the end of his life? Maybe it’s because he wanted to expel all the rumors that Cortes and the Spaniards were manipulating Montezuma, and that Cortes didn’t actually oppress the indigenous people; or mainly, to reject the notion that all they cared for was the Aztecs’ gold. Whichever way I put it, the overarching reason for why he is writing this could be as simple as that he was trying to defend and protect his Christian belief. Starting off, Castillo could have written this is because he did not want people to think that Cortes took advantaged and manipulated Montezuma. You wouldn’t want a rumor to be passed around that you manipulated a young boy into going and stealing …show more content…

It was strongly believed that the Spaniards were all about the gold and nothing else. Bartolomé De Las Casas said “The reason why the Christians have killed and destroyed such infinite numbers of souls is solely because they have made gold their ultimate aim, seeking to load themselves with riches in the shortest time…” (Las Casas, pg146) How could this be true? Montezuma was giving the gold to Cortes. Montezuma kept giving Cortes and his generals’ gold and other supplies. Castillo says “Montezuma here led Cotres by the hand to the apartment destined for him, and taking a large collar of gold, placed it round the general’s neck” (Castillo, pg134). He also says “Montezuma presented our general with a quantity of valuable ornaments of wrought gold; to each of the captains he made a present of some gold and three loads of mantles, and to each solider of two loads of richly wrought mantels; and all this he did in the most free and gracious manner…” (Castillo pg135) Montezuma was gracious in the gifts he gave and Cortes didn’t force him to give them gold; he gave it in a free …show more content…

In Proverbs 14:31, it says, “Whoever oppresses a poor man insults his Maker, but he who is generous to the needy honors him.” If we love God, we will be good to the poor. If we do no, we are not only reproaching the poor, but we also reproaching God. In Matthew 7:15, it says “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves.” It is bad to have the appearance of sanctity and innocence, when the heart is, in fact, evil. According to Aristotle, the highest good is a final end: it is desired for its own sake and not for the sake of anything else. It is also self-sufficient: it is enough in isolation; nothing more is needed. This could not be gold because wealth is not desired for its own sake, but as a means to other ends. Neo-Platonists say “The One” is the self-caused source of all being (God) and to be in the pursue for material things is to be directed away from “The One” and this is thus bad because you are furthering yourself away from God. That is not Christian like to further yourself away from your one and only

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