¿In nomine Matris (Maria)?: los móviles poco cristianos de Zoraida
Academic Article
Overview
Overview
Abstract
This essay will examine, through a novel, more nuanced framework constructed primarily around Islam, the alleged religious motivations behind Zoraida’s actions, specifically with respect to Mary.Zoraida continuously invokes Mary and presents her as the primary catalyst for her decision to abandon her father and faith. However, Zoraida’s proclaimed justification does not pass muster when analyzed against the backdrop of Catholic doctrine and the accepted practices and traditions of Islam (it must be remembered that Zoraida is Muslim throughout Don Quixote). Zoraida could have achieved a close relationship with Mary within her original faith, and therefore, it makes the most sense to understand Zoraida’s self-proclaimed comparison to Mary as an excuse to abandon Agi Morato while others’ association of Zoraida with Mary can best be understood within the historical context of the latter providing emotional succor to Catholic captives in Muslim lands in the 16th and 17th centuries.
