“Letter to King Charles V of Spain 1520” by Hernando Cortés: Description of Malinche

Based on the “Letter to King Charles V of Spain 1520” by Hernando Cortés, discuss who Malinche was.

In March 1519, the Spanish explorer Hernando Cortés reached the coast of Mexico on a quest for gold and power. Slowly his forces made their way toward Tenochtitlán, the capital of the Aztec empire. By November, Cortés and his army arrived in the city. Montezuma II (also Muteczuma), the Aztec leader, received Cortés with great honor, believing him to be an Aztec god. In this letter to the Spanish king, Cortés describes Montezuma and his fabulous palace. Discuss who Malinche was. How does the author describe her? What alternative perspective is Candelaria trying to give Malinche?