In 17th century Spain, the Spaniard conception of honor is represented as being solely based upon social status and courageous acts that are deemed virtuous. In Spanish culture, honor is viewed differently when it comes to the sexes because men keep their honor through test of masculinity as well as women through chastity unless they are married. In Catalina De Erauso's autobiography, Lieutenant Nun, Erauso demonstrates how imperative it is to be born from nobility and what families in Spain are willing to risk protecting their legacy of honor. During this time period offending someone's honor means, verbally berating, harming, or mortally wounding them to retain respect. Spaniards extreme level of desire for respect in Spanish culture makes
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Chastity and marriage are the most important requirements besides nobility when it came to women. Erauso tells of a "Catalina de Chaves, who was, from what people said, the highest born, most important lady in those parts"(Catalina de Erauso, Lieutenant Nun, p.35). She explains how a woman hits her with a clog and later "an Indian ran by...he slashed her face from side to side with a knife". (Catalina de Erauso, Lieutenant Nun, p.36). Since de Chaves was a of nobility, her part in the crime was disregarded but for the lower status citizens the outcome was far worst. Nobility in this time was immune from harsh punishments because when they acted in violence it was merely to protect their …show more content…
Allowing someone to boldly challenge you was an attack on you, your region, and your family. Catalina explains, "One of the friends...who told me he'd had some words with...a knight of Santiago, and that he had challenged him to a duel for eleven that night."(Catalina de Erauso, Lieutenant Nun, p. 23). Friends of this time period are so tightly knit that when they are challenged, there is always a possibility of their counterparts helping them to defend their honor. In chapter 6, Juan says "If you're not with me, so be it, I will go alone. There is no other man I trust at my side". (Catalina de Erauso, Lieutenant Nun, p. 23). There is such a horizontal correlation of honor among friends of the same social status that at any given point they are willing to put their lives on the line for each
Chastity and marriage are the most important requirements besides nobility when it came to women. Erauso tells of a "Catalina de Chaves, who was, from what people said, the highest born, most important lady in those parts"(Catalina de Erauso, Lieutenant Nun, p.35). She explains how a woman hits her with a clog and later "an Indian ran by...he slashed her face from side to side with a knife". (Catalina de Erauso, Lieutenant Nun, p.36). Since de Chaves was a of nobility, her part in the crime was disregarded but for the lower status citizens the outcome was far worst. Nobility in this time was immune from harsh punishments because when they acted in violence it was merely to protect their …show more content…
Allowing someone to boldly challenge you was an attack on you, your region, and your family. Catalina explains, "One of the friends...who told me he'd had some words with...a knight of Santiago, and that he had challenged him to a duel for eleven that night."(Catalina de Erauso, Lieutenant Nun, p. 23). Friends of this time period are so tightly knit that when they are challenged, there is always a possibility of their counterparts helping them to defend their honor. In chapter 6, Juan says "If you're not with me, so be it, I will go alone. There is no other man I trust at my side". (Catalina de Erauso, Lieutenant Nun, p. 23). There is such a horizontal correlation of honor among friends of the same social status that at any given point they are willing to put their lives on the line for each