The election of the mayors of Daganzo - Miguel de Cervantes

Summary

"The Election of the Mayors of Daganzo" (La elección de los alcaldes de Daganzo) is a short, one-act comedic interlude (entremés) by Miguel de Cervantes. The play satirizes the political processes and the common folk's often misguided understanding of governance. The plot centers on the people of Daganzo attempting to elect their new mayors (alcaldes). Three uneducated, self-important, and boastful villagers—Pero Aguado, Pedro Rincon, and Anton Rebollo—present themselves as candidates, each emphasizing their physical strength, family honor, or possessions rather than any actual qualifications for office. Their supporters add to the chaotic and comical scene with their fervent, often irrational, arguments. As the election devolves into a squabble of boasts and insults, a royal messenger suddenly arrives with a letter from the King. The King's decree reveals that he has already appointed new mayors for Daganzo, thus nullifying the entire farcical election process. The villagers, initially bewildered, ultimately accept the King's wise intervention, bringing a humorous and decisive end to their chaotic electoral attempt.

Book Sections

Section 1

The scene opens in the village of Daganzo, where the Regidor (Councillor) and the Escribano (Scrivener) are preparing for the election of new mayors. The Regidor expresses his desire for a fair and orderly election, emphasizing the importance of choosing individuals worthy of the office. He calls upon the villagers to present their candidates. Pero Aguado steps forward as the first candidate. He is a local farmer, proud of his lineage, his land, and his supposed honesty. His supporter, Juan Alonzo, vociferously champions his cause, highlighting Aguado's wealth and good character, though his praise often borders on exaggeration and rural boastfulness. The Escribano dutifully attempts to record the proceedings, but the boisterous nature of the villagers already hints at the comedic chaos to come.

Character	Characteristics	Motivations
Regidor	The town councillor, responsible for overseeing the election. He tries to maintain order and adhere to proper procedure, though he is often overwhelmed by the villagers' antics.	To ensure a lawful and orderly election process; to uphold the authority of his office.
Escribano	The scrivener or notary, responsible for documenting the election. He is mostly a passive observer, recording the events and sometimes interjecting with procedural questions.	To fulfill his duties as a public official by accurately recording the election proceedings.
Pero Aguado	A farmer and the first candidate for mayor. He is proud, boastful, and emphasizes his wealth, the honesty of his family, and his physical strength as qualifications for office, despite lacking intellectual aptitude.	To gain the prestigious position of mayor, driven by personal pride, a desire for local recognition, and a belief in his own (unjustified) worthiness based on his possessions and lineage.
Juan Alonzo	A villager and fervent supporter of Pero Aguado. He is boisterous and quick to defend his candidate, often exaggerating Aguado's virtues.	To see his friend and fellow villager, Pero Aguado, elected as mayor; to participate actively in the community's political process.

Section 2

Following Pero Aguado's grandiloquent self-introduction, two more candidates step forward to vie for the mayoral positions. Pedro Rincon, another local farmer, presents himself. He boasts about his physical prowess, his ability to work hard, and his unwavering honesty, contrasting himself with others whom he subtly implies are less virtuous. His supporter, Mencía, vigorously praises his strength and upright character, further fueling the competitive atmosphere. Shortly after, Anton Rebollo also announces his candidacy. Rebollo is equally boastful, emphasizing his fighting ability, his family's long history in Daganzo, and his capacity to maintain order, often through force. Juana, his supporter, loudly champions his toughness and ancestral pride. The Regidor tries to moderate the escalating exchange of boasts and veiled insults among the candidates and their supporters, as the election rapidly devolves into a comical display of rural vanity and shallow qualifications. Each candidate's argument for office centers on personal attributes rather than any understanding of justice or governance.

Character	Characteristics	Motivations
Pedro Rincon	A farmer and a candidate for mayor. He prides himself on his physical strength, his diligent work ethic, and his integrity, believing these qualities make him suitable for leadership.	To become mayor, driven by a sense of personal worth, a desire for authority, and a belief that his practical skills and "honesty" are sufficient qualifications.
Mencía	A villager and a staunch supporter of Pedro Rincon. She enthusiastically champions his virtues, particularly his strength and moral uprightness, joining in the general clamor of support.	To see Pedro Rincon, whom she believes to be a worthy and capable individual, elected as mayor; to express her community spirit and support for her chosen candidate.
Anton Rebollo	A farmer and the third candidate. He is boastful about his fighting abilities, his long family history in Daganzo, and his capacity to enforce his will, often through physical means.	To attain the mayoral office, motivated by pride in his lineage, a desire for power, and a belief that his assertiveness and traditional standing make him a natural leader.
Juana	A villager and an ardent supporter of Anton Rebollo. She vociferously backs his candidacy, highlighting his tough nature and his family's established presence in the village.	To ensure Anton Rebollo, her preferred candidate, wins the election; to participate in the local political drama and lend her support to someone she believes is strong and capable.

Section 3

Just as the arguments among the candidates and their supporters reach a fever pitch, threatening to turn into a full-blown quarrel, a King's Messenger arrives unexpectedly. He carries an official letter from the King. The Regidor, regaining some semblance of control, orders silence and instructs the Escribano to read the royal decree aloud. The letter reveals that the King, having been informed of Daganzo's electoral needs, has already taken the initiative to appoint two new mayors for the village. The King's message effectively nullifies the entire election process that the villagers were attempting to conduct. The candidates and their supporters, who were just moments before brimming with self-importance and rivalry, are initially stunned into silence. They quickly realize the futility and presumption of their own election, given the King's supreme authority. With their plans superseded, the villagers, albeit somewhat deflated, accept the King's wise and decisive intervention. The play concludes with the villagers celebrating the King's wisdom, and the election, which had become a farcical display of incompetence, is brought to an abrupt and humorous end.

Character	Characteristics	Motivations
Mensajero del Rey	A royal messenger, bearing a letter from the King. He represents the ultimate authority of the crown.	To deliver the King's decree and ensure it is announced and acknowledged by the people of Daganzo.

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Literary Genre:
"La elección de los alcaldes de Daganzo" belongs to the genre of the entremés (interlude), a short, one-act comedic play popular in Spanish Golden Age theater. Entremeses were typically performed between the acts of longer plays to provide comic relief and entertain the audience. They often featured common folk, regional dialects, and satirical takes on everyday life, social customs, and institutions.

Author Details:
Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra (1547–1616) is widely regarded as the greatest writer in the Spanish language and one of the world's preeminent novelists. His most famous work is Don Quixote de la Mancha, considered the first modern novel and a foundational work of Western literature. Cervantes led an eventful life, serving as a soldier, being captured by Barbary pirates and held for ransom, and working as a tax collector before dedicating himself fully to writing in his later years. Beyond Don Quixote, he also wrote numerous plays (including tragedies, comedies, and entremeses), short stories (exemplified in his Novelas ejemplares), and poetry. His works are characterized by their wit, psychological depth, and keen observation of human nature and Spanish society.

Moraleja (Moral):
The primary moral of "The Election of the Mayors of Daganzo" is a satirical commentary on the incompetence and vanity of individuals who seek public office without proper qualifications or understanding of their responsibilities. It highlights that self-importance, boastfulness, and a focus on personal attributes (like wealth or strength) rather than true merit or wisdom, are poor foundations for leadership. The play ultimately suggests that a higher, more informed authority (symbolized by the King) is sometimes necessary to rectify the misguided choices of the common populace, emphasizing the need for wise and just governance over chaotic popular elections fueled by ignorance and self-interest.

Curiosidades (Curiosities):

• Part of a Collection: This entremés is one of eight collected in Cervantes's Ocho comedias y ocho entremeses nuevos, nunca representados (Eight Comedies and Eight New Interludes, Never Performed), published in 1615, just a year before his death.
• Social Commentary: Like many of Cervantes's entremeses, this play offers sharp social commentary disguised as humor. It gently mocks the provincialism, naivety, and self-importance often found in rural communities when faced with civic responsibilities.
• King's Intervention: The deus ex machina (god from the machine) ending, where the King's decree abruptly resolves the conflict, is a common comedic device. Here, it serves to highlight the absurdity of the villagers' attempts at self-governance and provides a neat, albeit authoritarian, solution.
• Timeless Theme: The theme of unqualified individuals seeking power and the chaotic nature of elections driven by populism and personal agendas remains remarkably relevant even today, showcasing Cervantes's enduring insight into human nature and political processes.