Introduction 

El Burlador De Sevilla is a play by Spanish playwright Tirso de Molina. It is considered to be one of the earliest examples of the comedia nueva genre, which was popular during the Spanish Golden Age. This play is centered around Don Juan, a man of noble heritage who is known for his womanizing and disregard for societal conventions.

Important Characters:

• Don Juan: The main character, Don Juan is a womanizer who is of noble heritage. Despite his noble upbringing, he is often seen flouting societal norms and conventions.

• Don Gonzalo: The father of Don Juan, Don Gonzalo is a strict and overbearing figure in the play. He is constantly trying to keep his son in line and prevent any further scandals from occurring.

• Don Luis: Don Luis is Don Juan's brother-in-law who is also in love with Doña Inés. He is a foil to Don Juan, as he is a more traditional and obedient figure.

• Doña Inés: Doña Inés is the woman that Don Juan is enamored with. She is also in love with Don Luis, creating a love triangle between the three characters.

• Doña Ana: Doña Ana is Don Juan's sister who is constantly trying to protect her brother from the wrath of their father.

• Don Diego: Don Diego is the father of Doña Inés and is incredibly protective of his daughter.

• The Commander: The Commander is a man of the cloth and is constantly trying to preach morality to Don Juan.

Symbols and Themes:

• The Cross: The cross is a symbol of faith, morality, and justice in the play. It is a reminder to Don Juan to repent and follow the path of righteousness.

• Repentance: Repentance is a recurring theme throughout the play. Don Juan is constantly being urged to repent for his wrongdoings and follow the path of righteousness.

• Justice: Justice is another recurring theme throughout the play. Don Juan is constantly being called to justice for his wrongdoings.

Plot Summary 

The play begins with Don Juan, a nobleman and notorious womanizer, boasting about his conquests to his servant, Sganarelle. Don Juan is in love with Doña Inés, a woman that is also in love with his brother-in-law, Don Luis. Don Juan's father, Don Gonzalo, disapproves of his son's lifestyle and constantly tries to keep him in line. Despite his father's warnings, Don Juan continues to pursue Doña Inés and the two eventually meet in secret.

Meanwhile, Don Diego, the father of Doña Inés, discovers that his daughter has been meeting with Don Juan and is furious. He attempts to have Don Juan arrested, but his efforts are thwarted when Don Luis intervenes and prevents him from doing so. Don Diego then requests a duel between Don Juan and Don Luis to decide who is worthy of his daughter's love. Don Juan agrees to the duel, but ends up being challenged by the Commander instead.

The Commander and Don Juan engage in a swordfight and the Commander emerges victorious. He commands Don Juan to repent for his wrongdoings and Don Juan eventually agrees to do so. The play ends with the Commander warning Don Juan to remain on the path of righteousness, or else he will suffer dire consequences.

Analysis 

Character Analysis 

• Don Juan: Don Juan is a classic example of the libertine character. He is a nobleman that is constantly flouting societal conventions and disregarding the warnings of his father. He is also a complex character, as he is capable of both love and loyalty, despite his womanizing ways. 

• Don Gonzalo: Don Gonzalo is the overbearing father of Don Juan. He is constantly trying to keep his son in line and prevent any further scandals from occurring. He is a very strict figure, but also a caring one, as he is trying to protect his son from the consequences of his actions. 

• Don Luis: Don Luis is Don Juan's brother-in-law and Doña Inés' love interest. He is a foil to Don Juan, as he is more traditional and obedient. Despite his traditional ways, he is still capable of love and loyalty, as shown by his willingness to protect Don Juan from his father. 

• Doña Inés: Doña Inés is the woman that Don Juan is enamored with. She is a symbol of innocence and purity, as she is constantly trying to maintain her virtue despite Don Juan's advances.

• Doña Ana: Doña Ana is Don Juan's sister and a foil to her brother. She is constantly trying to protect her brother from the wrath of their father and is a source of comfort for him. 

• Don Diego: Don Diego is the father of Doña Inés and is incredibly protective of his daughter. He is the classic example of an overprotective father, as he is willing to go to great lengths to keep his daughter safe.

• The Commander: The Commander is a man of the cloth and is constantly trying to preach morality to Don Juan. He is a symbol of justice, as he is constantly calling Don Juan to justice for his wrongdoings. 

Study Questions 

Who is Don Juan?

Don Juan is the main character of El Burlador De Sevilla. He is a nobleman and notorious womanizer who is constantly disregarding societal conventions and norms.

What is the main conflict of the play?

The main conflict of the play is between Don Juan and Don Diego. Don Diego is the father of Doña Inés, the woman that Don Juan is enamored with, and he is trying to prevent Don Juan from pursuing her.

What are some symbols that are used throughout the play?

Some symbols that are used throughout the play include the cross, which is a symbol of faith, morality, and justice, and the themes of repentance and justice, which are both recurring throughout the play.

What is the main theme of El Burlador De Sevilla?

The main theme of El Burlador De Sevilla is that those that flout societal norms and conventions will eventually face1. Introduction