Sunday, September 30, 2007

The Broken Spears Chapters 1-7 Reflection

I found the readings in chapters 1-7 to be very thought-provoking. It opened up a new view for me of the arrival of Cortes and the Spaniards. I found it very interesting to learn about the omens and wonders and now see that it was in a way foreshadowing the future events. It was unique to read about what their first reactions were to the Spaniards arriving (the mountains floating in the water) because they had never seen such large boats before. It is very amusing that Motechuzoma instructed many different people to watch for the ships to see if they too could see the sight they had never seen before. It was interesting to see from his point of view as a ruler, the fear of this arrival of the unknown and his ways of going about “welcoming” them by presenting them with gifts. Though Motechuzoma feared the Spaniards it seems as though Cortes and his followers did not fear Motechuzoma and his people. At some parts of the reading, I found it hard to imagine dealing with different battles and different threats of killing off families and homes. However, in the end, I did find the reading overall to be very informative and different in it’s views. It gave a more personal one on one view of emotions, fears, and events of the arrival of the Spaniards.

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