Hernán Cortés en la Historia general y natural de las Indias de Gonzalo Fernández de Oviedo

Abstract

The image of Hernán Cortés has been interpreted from numerous different and frequently contradictory perspectives. The process of creating mythical figures from historical characters requires an analysis of the reasons that may explain the variety of interpretations, each within its own historical context. This article studies a small but significant part of this process in the creation of Cortés’ character in the Historia, by Gonzalo Fernández de Oviedo. The main aim is to analyse how the process of writing the chronicle and Fernández de Oviedo’s own ideas, influenced the way the author presented the conqueror Hernán Cortés in the first chronicle of the Indies.