"Don Juan Canto-I" : Summary
"Don Juan Canto-I" is a notable literary work by Lord Byron. A complete discussion of this literary work is given, which will help you enhance your literary skills and prepare for the exam. Read the Main texts, Key info, Summary, Themes, Characters, Literary devices, Quotations, Notes, to various questions of "Don Juan Canto-I".
Summary
Don Juan’s Family and Early Education: Don Juan was born in Seville, Spain. Don Juan the only child of Don Jose and Donna Inez. His parents did not love each other very much because Don Juan’s father distrusted his mother and had illicit relations with other girls. Due to this, Don Jose and Donna Inez had no good relationship. Before Don Jose died of fever, Donna Inez signed the divorce papers. Don Juan completed his primary education through his mother’s efforts. His mother noticed that his primary education was completed, but his moral education was not.
Donna Julia’s Unhappy Married Life: Donna Julia was a favorite among Donna Inez’s friends. Donna Julia was 25 years old. She was beautiful. But sadly, she was married to 50-year-old Don Alfonso. Don Alfonso could not give Julia physical pleasure and fulfill Julia’s biological needs.
Don Juan and Donna Julia’s Illicit Relationship: Meanwhile, Don Juan’s mother, Donna Inez, arrives at her friend’s house with her 16-year-old son, Don Juan. Julia falls in love with Don Juan at first sight. Meanwhile, Don Juan was also very attracted to girls. So he falls into Julia’s love trap, and the two of them have an illicit love affair. It would be wrong to call this love story only love. This was a means of fulfilling Julia’s biological needs, as Julia could not fulfill her biological needs with her husband, Alfonso. This is precisely why Julia chooses Don Juan to satisfy her physical demands. Juan and Julia’s romance goes well, and they become physical.
Illicit Affair Revealed: Alfonso notices several changes in Julia’s behavior, making him suspicious of Julia. One day Alfonso suspiciously goes to Julia’s room, accompanied by one of his friends. He knocks on Julia’s door. Just then, Julia and Don Juan were having physical relations with each other. Julia was late in opening the door. Julia couldn’t figure out how to hide Don Juan. She hides Don Juan under the pile of cloth. However, Julia somehow manages to get Don Juan to open the door.
Alfonso and his friend start searching the entire house. But nowhere to find Don Juan. While Julia’s husband Alfonso was searching the entire house, Julia started crying and telling her husband that she was suspicious of him and that he didn’t trust her. Julia was crying as she said this. Just then, Alfonso saw a pair of boy’s shoes. Seeing this, Alfonso ran to his room to fetch the sword.
Meanwhile, seeing this situation, Don Juan ran out of the room without clothes to escape. Don Juan has a fight with Alfonso on the way. Juan there punches Alfonso on the nose and escapes.
Don Juan’s Voyage: Dona Julia is sent to a convent after this incident, and Don Alfonso files for divorce case. To save her son, Donna Inez decides that her son must travel for the next four years. So, he sends Don Juan on a voyage. Don Juan then left to visit a relative in Leghorn, Italy.