Higareda,

Jorge

Professor Rodriguez

Document Interpretation #1

I chose to do my interpretation on Moctezuma's Greeting to Hernan Cortes. The author

of this document is Hernan Cortes in which later was translated by Anthony Pagden in 1986 if I

am not mistaken. Since it was written by Hernan Cortez we can view it as a primary source. In

this document Cortez explains his first encounter with Moctezuma and his experience he had.

Cortez states how Moctezuma received him with "some two hundred lords..." upon his arrival.

During the receiving there were also exchange of gifts amongst one another. Once the greeting

and exchanging were done they both sat next to each other at the throne. As they sat there

Moctezuma explains to Cortez how they have been waiting for more foreigners like themselves

to come just how his ancestors have told him in written letters.

Cortez intended audience for his letters was King Charles V. By the way the letter was

written, and the way Cortez explained and interpreted everything he saw and experienced, I

believe it was intended for private consumption in which it later became public. I believe the

purpose of document for Cortez was written just as a diary/journal for himself in which he was

not thinking of persuading his audience at the time. This is a source of credible facts since it can

connect to almost all the sources on the New World and Cortez decolonization and conquering

of the Aztecs.

This document connects to the concept of "Other" in two viewpoints, Cortez viewpoint

and the Aztecs viewpoint. Cortez viewed them as worthless human beings while the Aztecs
viewed Hernan Cortez as if he was sent by their gods and he was the foreigner their ancestors

spoke about in the letters left behind. Hernan Cortez was able to attack the Aztecs easily due to

their kindness and welcoming hearts the Aztecs had.