Ignez de Castro: Analysis of Major Characters
"Ignez de Castro" is a dramatic tale centered around themes of love, betrayal, and revenge, primarily featuring the characters Ignez de Castro, Prince Pedro, and King Alfonso IV. Ignez, the illegitimate daughter of a nobleman, finds herself in a tragic romance with Prince Pedro, the heir to the Portuguese throne. After the death of Pedro's legitimate wife, Ignez hopes to marry him and have their four children acknowledged by the royal family. However, her aspirations are cut short when she is murdered by the king's advisers, acting on orders from King Alfonso IV, who seeks to end their relationship.
Prince Pedro, deeply affected by the loss of Ignez, becomes determined to avenge her death, even turning against his own father, King Alfonso. The king’s actions are driven by a desire to maintain royal lineage and control, pushing Pedro into a corner where he must confront his own familial loyalties. The advisers, Diogo Lopes Pacheco, Pero Coelho, and Gonzalves, play pivotal roles in this tragedy, serving as agents of the king's will and directly responsible for Ignez's death. The story explores the complexities of power, love, and the consequences of betrayal within a royal context, making it a poignant narrative with lasting emotional impact.
Ignez de Castro: Analysis of Major Characters
Author: António Ferreira
First published: 1587 as A Castro (English translation, 1825)
Genre: Play
Locale: Portugal
Plot: Tragedy
Time: 1354–1360
Ignez de Castro (ee-NEHS deh KAH-stroh), the illegitimate daughter of a nobleman. She is beloved by Prince Pedro, the son and heir of King Alfonso. On the death, in childbirth, of Prince Pedro's wife, Ignez de Castro hopes that, now that her lover is provided with a legitimate heir, their love may be made public, their marriage solemnized, and their four children recognized by their grandfather. Before her hopes can be realized, however, she is murdered by the king's advisers.
Prince Pedro (PEH-droh), the heir of Alfonso IV and the lover of Ignez de Castro. Compelled by his father to marry a princess of Castile, he feels free at her death in childbirth to proclaim his love for Ignez de Castro. He pleads with the king for a state wedding and the recognition of their four children. The king refuses, and when Ignez is killed by the royal advisers, Prince Pedro swears vengeance on all involved in the murder, including his father.
Alfonso IV (ahl-FOHN-soh), the king of Portugal and the father of Prince Pedro. In an attempt to put an end to the love of Prince Pedro for the illegitimate Ignez de Castro, he compels his son to marry a princess of Castile, who dies at the birth of a legitimate heir. When his son then begs for a state wedding to Ignez and the recognition of their four children, King Alfonso refuses and permits the murder of Ignez.
Diogo Lopes Pacheco (dee-OH-goh LOH-pehs pah-CHEH-koh), Pero Coelho (PEH-roh koh-EHL-hoh), and Gonzalves (gohn-SAHL-vehs), advisers to King Alfonso and the murderers of Ignez de Castro.