Don Juan’s Deceptions and Downfall in Seville

Don Juan’s Deceptions and Downfall

The play begins in Naples, where Don Juan has just seduced Duchess Isabela, simultaneously dishonoring her and mocking Duke Octavio, his supposed friend. Don Pedro Tenorio, Don Juan’s uncle and the Spanish ambassador, receives orders from the king to arrest the culprit. Don Juan confesses, and a furious Don Pedro threatens to kill him. However, Don Juan’s submissive gesture of offering his sword moves Don Pedro, who then helps him escape.

Don Pedro informs the king that he could not prevent the escape, but Isabela’s confession points to Duke Octavio as the culprit. The king orders Octavio’s arrest, but Don Pedro, knowing the truth, helps Octavio flee.

The Seduction of Tisbea

On the beach of Tarragona, Tisbea, a fisherwoman, spots a wrecked boat and calls other fishermen to rescue the two men aboard. They save Don Juan and his servant, Catalinón. Tisbea cares for Don Juan, and he, ever the seducer, steals her honor before fleeing. Distraught, Tisbea throws herself into the sea.

Intrigue and Murder in Seville

Meanwhile, in Seville, King Alfonso XI, informed of the incident in Naples, orders Don Diego Tenorio, Don Juan’s father, to banish Don Juan to Lebrija. However, Don Juan is already in Seville with Don Octavio. The Marquis de la Mota, who is in love with Doña Ana, daughter of Commander Don Gonzalo de Ulloa, arrives. Don Juan attempts to deceive Doña Ana by impersonating the Marquis, but she realizes the trick and cries out. Her father, Don Gonzalo, appears to defend her, but Don Juan kills him.

Don Juan flees, and the Marquis de la Mota is wrongly blamed and arrested.

Aminta’s seduction

• Don Juan attends the wedding of Aminta and Patricio.
• He tells Patricio that Aminta is no longer a woman of honor.
• Patricio believes him and leaves.
• Don Juan seduces Aminta, promising marriage, and she falls for his deception.

Don Juan’s Reckoning

Don Juan’s excesses become widely known, and many seek justice. The king orders Don Juan’s capture. Don Juan seeks refuge in the church where the Commander is buried. Mocking the statue erected in the Commander’s honor, Don Juan invites it to dinner.

The statue accepts the invitation and, in turn, invites Don Juan to dine with him the following night in the chapel. Don Juan accepts. When he shakes the statue’s hand, a fire courses through his body, burning him. He confesses that he did not dishonor Doña Ana before sinking into the grave and dying.

Resolution

Catalinón arrives at the king’s court and announces Don Juan’s death. Don Octavio, hearing this, is reunited with Don Diego, the Marquis de la Mota, Patricio, and Isabela. Isabela asks the king for Don Octavio’s hand in marriage, claiming she has been widowed, and the Marquis de la Mota asks for Doña Ana’s hand, thus ending the play.