Section 4 : The Hearing

Altamirano's voice brings us back to the business at hand. The harmonious setting of the previous section is replaced with the closed frames of Altamirano still dictating his letter. He has reached the point where he relates his arrival in Asuncion. (View the clip.) Don Cabeza and his Portuguese counterpart, Senor Hontar, welcome the cardinal. They are anxious to discover what the Cardinal's decision will be regarding the mission territories. The Spanish have abolished slavery, but the Portuguese have not. The mission territories belong to the church. Should the Cardinal rule that the territories remain under the control of the church, the Indians will be safe from the slave traders. Should he cede the land to either the Spanish or the Portuguese, the Indians will once more be free to be enslaved by the Spanish and Portuguese settlers. The hearing to determine what course he is to follow is a mixture of truth and lies, expediency and integrity, sophistication and simplicity.

What a strange world I had been sent to judge

View the clip for questions 1 - 9

1. The physical discomfort of the occupants of the carriage and Don Cabeza tell us something about the settlers. What is it?

2. What does Senor Hotar's conversation with the Cardinal tell us about him?

3. How does Don Cabeza's remark reveal his prejudices?

4. "I myself was a Jesuit once," says the Cardinal. Compare his arrival in Asuncion with Gabriel's.

5. The hearing begins with a startling image of incongruity. What is it and why is it used?

 

 

6. There is a close-up of all the main players during the singing. Describe each of their expressions as an indication of their thoughts.

7. How do you know that Roderigo is looking at Cabeza?

8. How can Roderigo be so sure that Cabeza is lying?

9. What does Roderigo mean when he says, "My cloth protects you"?

 

 

 

What do you think is at issue here?

View the clip for questions 1 - 5

1. With reference to the conversation between Father Gabriel and the Cardinal, what, in fact, has the Cardinal come to South America for?

2. Why does Altamirano compare the courts of Europe with a jungle?

3. What does Gabriel mean when he asks, "But your Eminence, is that to stand in our way?"

4. Why does the Cardinal not answer Gabriel's question?

5. Do you think that Altamirano is sympathetic towards the Jesuits? What reason can you give for your answer?