Don Juan Tenorio

Don Juan Tenorio

A play written by José Zorrilla in1844.

The story begins at Cristofano Buttarelli’s inn, in Seville, where Don Juan Tenorio and Don Luis Mejia have had a reserved table for a year, which is now ready with the best food and drink. In that place they made a bet on who would behave worst for a whole year. After that period of time, they would come back to the same inn to recognise the winner. So, here they are. Don Juan’s father   (Don Diego) and Mrs. Ines’ father (Don Gonzalo de Ulloa, commander of Calatrava) also come, as well as all those who had known about the bet or had heard rumors about it.

           They both bring notes with their crimes, offences and conquests together with witnesses. Don Juan is the winner and, again, they bet that Don Juan Tenorio will captivate a nun as well as Don Luis Mejia’s fiancee, Mrs Ana de Pantoja.

           Don Juan enters the convent;  Mrs Ines faints and is taken to Don Juan’s country house. Don Gonzalo looks for his daughter around the house. Don Juan tries to convince him that he really loves Mrs Ines . Don Gonzalo does not pay attention to him and he would rather see his daughter dead than allow their marriage. They fight and Don Gonzalo dies at the hands of Don Juan, as well as Don Luis Mejia, who was also there.

           Five years later, Don Juan returns to Seville. He goes to his father’s country house and finds out that the place has become a mausoleum with statues of all the people who have died because of him. At the cemetery Mrs Ines’ shadow appears to him and tells that she has offered her soul for his salvation.

Looking for Don Juan, some friends of his arrive at the country house. He invites both them and the statue of Don Gonzalo for dinner. On one side of the table there is a place for Don Gonzalo. Knocks are heard on the door but they do not see anyone. The statue of Don Gonzalo suddenly appears and the guests faint. He tells Don Juan that he will die in a day and the commander invites him back. Don Juan believes this has been a joke from his friends, they have an argument and he kills them.

He goes to the graveyard. He gets scared when the ghosts appear and thinks his life is coming to an end. He foresees his own funeral. When the shadows and skeletons are going to pounce on him, Mrs Ines’ tomb opens and Don Juan Tenorio is saved.

QUESTION 1: Who made a bet a year ago?

1. Don Gonzalo and Captain Centellas

2. Don José Zorrilla

3. Don Juan Tenorio and Don Luis Mejía

4. Don Gonzalo and Don Diego

QUESTION 2: Who is Mrs Ines?

1. Don Luis Mejía’s fiancee

2. Don Gonzalo de Ulloa’s daughter

3. A servant

4. The abbess of the convent.

QUESTION 3: Who kills Don Gonzalo de Ulloa?

1. Don Juan Tenorio

2. He has an accident.

3. He dies in battle

4. Don Diego Tenorio

QUESTON 4: After Don Juan’s father’s death, his country house becomes…

1. A hospital

2. Semi-detached houses with swimming pool

3. A convent

4. A mausoleum