Study Guide Flashcards: The Conquest of Tenochtitlan and Literary Analysis

A complete set of vocabulary flashcards covering key historical figures, primary texts, and literary devices from the study guide on the Spanish conquest of Tenochtitlan.

16th Century

The century during which the Spanish conquest of Tenochtitlan took place.

Hernán Cortés

Spanish conquistador who led the conquest of Tenochtitlan and authored the Segunda carta de relación.

Carlos V

King of Spain to whom Hernán Cortés sent letters to report on his discoveries and justify his actions during the conquest.

Moctezuma

The Mexica ruler when Spanish conquistadors arrived in Tenochtitlan.

Tenochtitlan

The capital city of the Mexica empire, described as having wide streets, canals, and floating transport.

Tlaxcaltecas

Indigenous group and enemies of the Mexicas who allied with Hernán Cortés to break free from Mexica rule.

Viruela

Smallpox; an infectious disease that significantly weakened the Mexica population during the conquest.

Fray Bernardino de Sahagún

Spanish Franciscan friar who compiled indigenous testimonies in Los presagios.

Los presagios

Compiled indigenous accounts detailing strange omens and events that portended the downfall of the Mexica empire.

Espiga de fuego

A sign of fire in the sky described in the first presagio that struck fear into the Mexica people.

Segunda carta de relación

An epistle written by Hernán Cortés to King Carlos V to detail the grandeur of Tenochtitlan and justify his unauthorized expedition.

Bergantines

Spanish brigantine vessels built on Cortés's orders to navigate and conduct warfare on the water surrounding Tenochtitlan.

Se ha perdido el pueblo mexica

An elegiac poem written from the indigenous perspective of the defeated Mexicas, mourning their destruction and suffering.

Elegía

A poetic form expressing grief and lamentation for a loss.

Epístola

A literary work written in the form of a letter addressed to a specific individual.

Apóstrofe

Literary device consisting of addressing a person or group directly to convey strong emotion.

Antítesis

Literary device involving the juxtaposition of opposing ideas to highlight contrast.

Símil

Literary device that compares two distinct things using explicit comparison words such as 'como'.

Hipérbaton

Literary device that alters standard word order in a sentence for emphasis or poetic effect.

Imagen visual

Literary device using sight-based descriptions to evoke mental images.

Imagen auditiva

Literary device utilizing sound-focused descriptions to convey auditory experiences.

Verso libre

Poetry written without set rhyme scheme or meter, allowing open expression.

Asíndeton

Literary device defined by omitting conjunctions between phrases or words to accelerate pace or intensity.

Polisíndeton

Literary device characterized by deliberate repetition of conjunctions to add emphasis.

Pregunta retórica

A rhetorical question posed without expecting an answer to express emotion or provoke reflection.

Enumeración

Literary device presenting a list of items to show quantity or variety.

Prefiguración

Literary device (foreshadowing) offering signs or hints that anticipate future events.

Hipérbole

Literary device involving deliberate exaggeration to emphasize intensity.

Imagen sensorial

Literary device that uses sensory detail to engage the reader's senses.

Circunlocución

Literary device that uses indirect or roundabout phrasing to express an idea.