ABSTRACT
History, literature, and popular belief normally introduce us to the story and image of Doña Marina, La Malinche, in either of three ways: (1) the woman is often times presented very simply and insignificantly as just another part of the necessary backdrop to Cortés’ triumphant conquest or, as is more commonly done, (2) her portrayal assumes synonymity with destruction when she is singled out as the sole cause of the fall of the “patria” and becomes the scapegoat for all Mexican perdition thereafter while, on the other hand, (3) romanticists find themselves almost instinctively driven to depicting Doña Marina as the misguided and exploited victim of the tragic love affair which is said to have taken place between herself and Hernán Cortés.
