The Sins of Sor The Sins of Sor JuanaJuana

By: Karen ZacariasBy: Karen Zacarias

The World of the PlayThe World of the Play Geographic locationGeographic location

– New Spain (Mexico)New Spain (Mexico) Historical periodHistorical period

– Late 1600’sLate 1600’s SeasonSeason

– SummerSummer Social conditions of time/placeSocial conditions of time/place

– Restricted, Very Proper, Confined, StrictRestricted, Very Proper, Confined, Strict Economic conditions of time/placeEconomic conditions of time/place

– Surrounded by Wealth and RoyaltySurrounded by Wealth and Royalty Political conditions of time/placePolitical conditions of time/place

– Monarchy Monarchy Religious conditions of time/placeReligious conditions of time/place

– Modest and Strictly ChristianityModest and Strictly Christianity Physical environment in playPhysical environment in play

– ConventConvent

My Character: VicereineMy Character: Vicereine

Physical CharacteristicsPhysical Characteristics Age:Age:

– 3030 Race / Nationality:Race / Nationality:

– SpanishSpanish Health:Health:

– Well, youngWell, young Posture/Figure:Posture/Figure:

– Very royal, regal figure. Never bows to anyone Very royal, regal figure. Never bows to anyone Movement habits / gestures/ mannerisms:Movement habits / gestures/ mannerisms:

– Wide, long, exaggerated arm movements. Never moving too Wide, long, exaggerated arm movements. Never moving too quicklyquickly

Voice / speech patterns or distinctions / dialect or accent:Voice / speech patterns or distinctions / dialect or accent:– Proper, educated, intelligent speechProper, educated, intelligent speech

Dress / grooming habits:Dress / grooming habits:– Large dresses, always dresses properlyLarge dresses, always dresses properly

List of adjectives describing the character in physical terms:List of adjectives describing the character in physical terms: – She is elegant and her movements are all fluid and flowing She is elegant and her movements are all fluid and flowing

together. Walks as if floating on air.together. Walks as if floating on air.

Social CharacteristicsSocial Characteristics

Educational BackgroundEducational Background– The Vicereine is very well educated and probably knows many The Vicereine is very well educated and probably knows many

languages.languages. Social classSocial class

– She is very well respected by all, but very judgmental and ultimately She is very well respected by all, but very judgmental and ultimately selfishselfish

Economic statusEconomic status– Very high class, has a lot of moneyVery high class, has a lot of money

Occupation Occupation – The Vicereine of New SpainThe Vicereine of New Spain

Religion Religion – Christian, Catholic Christian, Catholic

Hobbies, interests Hobbies, interests – Always concerned about Juana and her well-being. She spends much of Always concerned about Juana and her well-being. She spends much of

her time adoring Juana, taking care of her, and making sure she has her time adoring Juana, taking care of her, and making sure she has the “perfect life” all planned out for her.the “perfect life” all planned out for her.

Family relationships Family relationships – She thinks Juana as one of her own and because of the growing bond She thinks Juana as one of her own and because of the growing bond

and affection for Juana, her relationship with the Viceroy suffers.and affection for Juana, her relationship with the Viceroy suffers.

Psychological / Emotional Psychological / Emotional CharacteristicsCharacteristics

IntelligenceIntelligence– Very well-educatedVery well-educated

AwarenessAwareness– She believes she is very aware of everything that is going on, but it takes a She believes she is very aware of everything that is going on, but it takes a

while for her to realize Juana’s love affair with Silvio.while for her to realize Juana’s love affair with Silvio. Stability and self-control Stability and self-control

– For the most part, she is very in control of her emotions and always remains For the most part, she is very in control of her emotions and always remains proper and pleasant, but when Juana angers her, her anger gets the best of proper and pleasant, but when Juana angers her, her anger gets the best of her.her.

Temperament (genial, domineering, etc.) Temperament (genial, domineering, etc.) – Pleasant and calm normal, but when angered she can become Pleasant and calm normal, but when angered she can become

temperamentaltemperamental Desires, beliefs, ideals Desires, beliefs, ideals

– She no longer cares very much to mend or keep a relationship with the She no longer cares very much to mend or keep a relationship with the Viceroy. She believes being looked at as a good, Christian woman is very Viceroy. She believes being looked at as a good, Christian woman is very important. She cares what others think about her.important. She cares what others think about her.

Basic attitudes towards your environment, past events, people, etc.Basic attitudes towards your environment, past events, people, etc.– She loves the Viceroy and would not divorce if given the chance because it is She loves the Viceroy and would not divorce if given the chance because it is

looked down upon.looked down upon.– She loves Juana and would choose spending time with her over her husband.She loves Juana and would choose spending time with her over her husband.

Adjectives describing the character in psychological, emotional termsAdjectives describing the character in psychological, emotional terms– Stable, uneasy at times, loving, caring, concerned, temperamental.Stable, uneasy at times, loving, caring, concerned, temperamental.

Moral Characteristics Moral Characteristics

Code of ethics; standardsCode of ethics; standards 1.  What moral crises do you encounter?1.  What moral crises do you encounter?

– Sor Juana is going behind the Vicereine’s back by seeing Silvio and Sor Juana is going behind the Vicereine’s back by seeing Silvio and ruining her perfectly planned out future for Juana.ruining her perfectly planned out future for Juana.

2.  What choices do you make when faced with these 2.  What choices do you make when faced with these crises?crises?– The Vicereine’s true colors show when discovering Silvio and Juana The Vicereine’s true colors show when discovering Silvio and Juana

together. The Vicereine furiously and immediately orders Pedro to together. The Vicereine furiously and immediately orders Pedro to capture the bastard, Silvio. This is the Vicereine’s true breaking point.capture the bastard, Silvio. This is the Vicereine’s true breaking point.

  Are you selfish?Are you selfish?– Yes, very. She’s very much about appearances and what is fitting in Yes, very. She’s very much about appearances and what is fitting in

her eyes. She is also happier with Juana than the Viceroy, and doesn’t her eyes. She is also happier with Juana than the Viceroy, and doesn’t really care what her husband thinks. She doesn’t really care if Juana is really care what her husband thinks. She doesn’t really care if Juana is truly happy or in love with Fabio either.truly happy or in love with Fabio either.

Hypocritical?Hypocritical?– Not really. She holds very true to her beliefs and what she wants for Not really. She holds very true to her beliefs and what she wants for

Juana.Juana. A person with integrity?A person with integrity?

– The Vicereine is full of integrity. If she did not have integrity, she would The Vicereine is full of integrity. If she did not have integrity, she would not care so much to “save” Juana and clean up the mess she created. not care so much to “save” Juana and clean up the mess she created. She also tries to make things seem less than they are; Nothing is as big She also tries to make things seem less than they are; Nothing is as big of a deal as the Viceroy makes it, in her eyes.of a deal as the Viceroy makes it, in her eyes.

Define your relationships with Define your relationships with other charactersother characters

1.  Your initial attitude toward other characters in 1.  Your initial attitude toward other characters in the play.the play.– Distinctly higher than the others. Silently demands respect. Also has an Distinctly higher than the others. Silently demands respect. Also has an

understood amount of respect required by the other characters.understood amount of respect required by the other characters.

2.  Your behavior toward other characters.2.  Your behavior toward other characters.– Caring, but wants things done her way. She also does not find it Caring, but wants things done her way. She also does not find it

completely necessary to be nice or kind to anyone that she does not completely necessary to be nice or kind to anyone that she does not find a specific interest in.find a specific interest in.

3.  Changes in attitudes toward other characters.3.  Changes in attitudes toward other characters.– Always loving toward Juana, but becomes very frustrated with her in Always loving toward Juana, but becomes very frustrated with her in

the end.the end.

4.  Other characters’ attitudes toward you.4.  Other characters’ attitudes toward you.– Respectful in her presence, but probably annoyed by her behind her Respectful in her presence, but probably annoyed by her behind her

back. There is probably much gossip about her and quite put-out with back. There is probably much gossip about her and quite put-out with her.her.

Explore Your Character’s Explore Your Character’s GrowthGrowth

1.  How have you changed at the end of the play? 1.  How have you changed at the end of the play? – She is no longer so passive or naive. She is no longer so passive or naive.

2.  What have you learned/experienced as a result of the 2.  What have you learned/experienced as a result of the events of the play? events of the play? – Sor Juana was not as trusting as she thought.Sor Juana was not as trusting as she thought.

Examine the character’s motivationExamine the character’s motivation– Her motivation is to have control over Juana, even control over who she Her motivation is to have control over Juana, even control over who she

marries.marries. 1.  What is the character’s main objective, super objective, 1.  What is the character’s main objective, super objective,

in the play?in the play?– Essentially, to get her way in every aspect.Essentially, to get her way in every aspect.

State in a single statement: State in a single statement: I want I want what (active verbwhat (active verb) from ) from whomwhom because because why? why? – I want submissiveness from Juana because I want to control what she I want submissiveness from Juana because I want to control what she

does.does.

In Depth AnalysisIn Depth Analysis What are the sins of Sor Juana and why?What are the sins of Sor Juana and why?

– The sins of Sor Juana is her desire to read and write. It is also a great sin because The sins of Sor Juana is her desire to read and write. It is also a great sin because she is a woman. Her sins also involve her pride, how she sets up Pedro and Silvio’s she is a woman. Her sins also involve her pride, how she sets up Pedro and Silvio’s death, her manipulative ways and how she uses the Viceriene’s affection as away to death, her manipulative ways and how she uses the Viceriene’s affection as away to get what she wants.get what she wants.

Who became nuns and monks during the time period and why?Who became nuns and monks during the time period and why?– The wealthy people whose parents want the best for them. Some families in the time The wealthy people whose parents want the best for them. Some families in the time

could only have a certain number of children, so sending their children off the could only have a certain number of children, so sending their children off the convent was the best choice. They could gain wealth through the convent that way.convent was the best choice. They could gain wealth through the convent that way.

Who is the playwright, why did she write Sor Juana, when did she Who is the playwright, why did she write Sor Juana, when did she write Sor Juana, what are her other work?write Sor Juana, what are her other work?– The playwright is Karen Zacarias. She wrote the story to “introduce Sor Juana to the The playwright is Karen Zacarias. She wrote the story to “introduce Sor Juana to the

English-speaking world”. English-speaking world”. The conflict of the play; the main action usually involves a central The conflict of the play; the main action usually involves a central

conflict. conflict. – The conflict of the play is Juana is selfish and wants things her way, no matter how The conflict of the play is Juana is selfish and wants things her way, no matter how

much others sacrifice in order for her to have the best life possible.much others sacrifice in order for her to have the best life possible. The meaning or theme of the play; what is the playwright saying?The meaning or theme of the play; what is the playwright saying?

– The playwright is trying to introduce a culture and a great story about a woman very The playwright is trying to introduce a culture and a great story about a woman very wise beyond her years. wise beyond her years.

– The meaning of the play is that you must always stay driven and not expect for The meaning of the play is that you must always stay driven and not expect for things to be simply handed to you. Just because the Viceroy and the Viceriene took things to be simply handed to you. Just because the Viceroy and the Viceriene took an interest in her, didn’t mean that she would have everything handed to her. Juana an interest in her, didn’t mean that she would have everything handed to her. Juana was very manipulative towards the Viceroy and Viceriene once she knew how was very manipulative towards the Viceroy and Viceriene once she knew how enthralled they were with her.enthralled they were with her.

Some of Sor Some of Sor Juana’s work…Juana’s work…

My LadyMy LadyMy lady, I must imploreMy lady, I must imploreforgiveness for keeping still,forgiveness for keeping still,if what I meant as tributeif what I meant as tributeran contrary to your will.ran contrary to your will.

Please do not reproach mePlease do not reproach meif the if the coursecourse I have maintained I have maintainedin the eagerness of my lovein the eagerness of my loveleft my silence unexplained.left my silence unexplained.

I love you with so much passion,I love you with so much passion,neither rudeness nor neglectneither rudeness nor neglectcan explain why I tied my tongue,can explain why I tied my tongue,yet left my heart unchecked.yet left my heart unchecked.

The matter to me was simple:The matter to me was simple:love for you was so strong,love for you was so strong,I could see you in my soulI could see you in my souland talk to you all day long.and talk to you all day long.

With this idea in mind,With this idea in mind,I lived in utter delight,I lived in utter delight,pretending my subterfugepretending my subterfugefound favor in your sight.found favor in your sight.

In this strange, ingenious In this strange, ingenious fashionfashion,,I allowed the hope to be mineI allowed the hope to be minethat I still might see as humanthat I still might see as humanwhat I really conceived as divine.what I really conceived as divine.

But now, at your solemn bidding,But now, at your solemn bidding,this silence I herewith suspend,this silence I herewith suspend,for your summons unlocks in mefor your summons unlocks in mea respect no time can end.a respect no time can end.

And, although loving your beautyAnd, although loving your beautyis a crime beyond repair,is a crime beyond repair,rather the crime be chastisedrather the crime be chastisedthan my fervor cease to dare.than my fervor cease to dare.

With this confession in hand,With this confession in hand,I pray, be less stern with me.I pray, be less stern with me.Do not condemn to distressDo not condemn to distressone who fancied bliss so free.one who fancied bliss so free.

If you blame me for disrespect,If you blame me for disrespect,remember, you gave me leave;remember, you gave me leave;thus, if obedience was wrong,thus, if obedience was wrong,your commanding must be my your commanding must be my reprieve.reprieve.

Let my love be ever doomedLet my love be ever doomedif guilty in its intent,if guilty in its intent,for loving you is a crimefor loving you is a crimeof which I will never repent.of which I will never repent.

This much I descry in my feelings--This much I descry in my feelings--and more that I cannot explain;and more that I cannot explain;but you, from what I've not said,but you, from what I've not said,may infer what words won't may infer what words won't contain. contain.

Oh, how mad I becameOh, how mad I becamein my blissful love of you,in my blissful love of you,for even though feigned, your favorfor even though feigned, your favormade all my madness seem true!made all my madness seem true!

How unwisely my ardent love,How unwisely my ardent love,which your glorious sun inflamed,which your glorious sun inflamed,sought to feed upon your sought to feed upon your brightness,brightness,though the risk of your fire was though the risk of your fire was plain!plain!

Forgive me if, thus emboldened,Forgive me if, thus emboldened,I made bold with that sacred fire:I made bold with that sacred fire:there's no sanctuary securethere's no sanctuary securewhen thought's transgressions when thought's transgressions conspire.conspire.

Thus it was I kept indulgingThus it was I kept indulgingthese foolhardy hopes of mine,these foolhardy hopes of mine,enjoying within myselfenjoying within myselfa happiness sublime.a happiness sublime.

You MenYou MenSilly, you men-so very adeptat wrongly faulting womankind,not seeing you're alone to blamefor faults you plant in woman's mind.

After you've won by urgent pleathe right to tarnish her good name,you still expect her to behave--you, that coaxed her into shame.

You batter her resistance downand then, all righteousness, proclaimthat feminine frivolity,not your persistence, is to blame.

When it comes to bravely posturing,your witlessness must take the prize:you're the child that makes a bogeyman,and then recoils in fear and cries.

Presumptuous beyond belief,you'd have the woman you pursuebe Thais when you're courting her,Lucretia once she falls to you.

For plain default of common sense,could any action be so queeras oneself to cloud the mirror,then complain that it's not clear?

Still, whether it's torment or anger--and both ways you've yourselves to blame--God bless the woman who won't have you,no matter how loud you complain.

It's your persistent entreatiesthat change her from timid to bold.Having made her thereby naughty,you would have her good as gold.

So where does the greater guilt liefor a passion that should not be:with the man who pleads out of basenessor the woman debased by his plea?

Or which is more to be blamed--though both will have cause for chagrin:the woman who sins for moneyor the man who pays money to sin?

So why are you men all so stunnedat the thought you're all guilty alike?Either like them for what you've made themor make of them what you can like.

If you'd give up pursuing them,you'd discover, without a doubt,you've a stronger case to makeagainst those who seek you out.

I well know what powerful armsyou wield in pressing for evil:your arrogance is alliedwith the world, the flesh, and the devil!

Whether you're favored or disdained,nothing can leave you satisfied.You whimper if you're turned away,you sneer if you've been gratified.

With you, no woman can hope to score;whichever way, she's bound to lose;spurning you, she's ungrateful--succumbing, you call her lewd.

Your folly is always the same:you apply a single ruleto the one you accuse of loosenessand the one you brand as cruel.

What happy mean could there befor the woman who catches your eye,if, unresponsive, she offends,yet whose complaisance you decry?

Stay, Shadow of My Stay, Shadow of My LoveLove

Stay, shadow of my love, untamed,Stay, shadow of my love, untamed,reflection of the charm I treasure reflection of the charm I treasure

most,most,illusion beautiful by which entranced I illusion beautiful by which entranced I

die,die,sweet fraudulence by which in pain I sweet fraudulence by which in pain I

live.live.

If to the powerful magnet of your giftsIf to the powerful magnet of your giftsmy breast becomes submissive steel,my breast becomes submissive steel,why cast your coaxing spell on mewhy cast your coaxing spell on methen teasingly take to heel?then teasingly take to heel?

No bending to your despotic swayNo bending to your despotic swaycan nurse your swaggering content;can nurse your swaggering content;for though you mock the closest tiefor though you mock the closest tiethat bonded your imagined form,that bonded your imagined form,it little counts to dodge my breast and it little counts to dodge my breast and

armsarmswhen once you're in the irons my when once you're in the irons my

dream forged.dream forged.

  

This Evening, My This Evening, My LoveLove

This evening, my love, as I spoke to youThis evening, my love, as I spoke to youand saw it in your face and in your actsand saw it in your face and in your actsthat I was not persuading you with words,that I was not persuading you with words,

I longed for you to look upon my heart.I longed for you to look upon my heart.And Love, that aided my intentions,And Love, that aided my intentions,conquered that which seemed impossible:conquered that which seemed impossible:for in the plaint that grief was pouring outfor in the plaint that grief was pouring outmy broken heart was suffering distillation.my broken heart was suffering distillation.

Enough of strictures now, my love, Enough of strictures now, my love, enough.enough.

Let tyrannous jealousies torture you no Let tyrannous jealousies torture you no moremore

nor vile suspicion vex your peace of mindnor vile suspicion vex your peace of mindwith foolish doubts and futile indications,with foolish doubts and futile indications,since now in liquid humor you can seesince now in liquid humor you can seeand touch my broken heart between your and touch my broken heart between your

handshands..