Keeper of the Watch tells the tale of Malintzín, an Aztec princess caught between loyalty to her people and her belief in the prophecy of Quetzalcoatl as Spanish invaders arrive in her homeland. As Hernán Cortés and his forces approach, Malintzín becomes his interpreter and confidante, walking a tightrope between her love for an Aztec prince, Cuauhtémoc, and her loyalty to Cortés, whom she believes to be a divine figure. In the midst of this cultural collision, Malintzín faces a choice that will determine the fate of her people and the future of an empire.
Synopsis:
In Keeper of the Watch, Malintzín, a young Aztec princess, becomes the spiritual and political “Keeper of the Watch” after witnessing her father’s sacrificial death. The inciting incident occurs when the Spaniards, led by HernánCortés, arrive on the shores of Mexico, fulfilling the prophecy of the white-skinned gods from the East. As the Spaniards advance, Malintzín becomes Cortés’ interpreter and strategist, believing he is the manifestation of the god, Quetzalcoatl, destined to bring peace to the Aztec people.
Act 1 introduces Malintzín’s inner conflict as she navigates her duties as the Keeper and the political turmoil between the Aztec leadership and the Spanish invaders. In Act 2, tensions rise between the ambitious Cortés and Cuauhtémoc, the Aztec prince, as Malintzín grows emotionally torn between these two men. The Spaniards’ brutality forces Malintzín to confront her faith in the prophecy and question her loyalties. Act 3 culminates in the fall of the Aztec Empire, with Malintzín torn between her cultural identity and her love for both Cuauhtémoc and Cortés. The theme of the script focuses on faith, cultural identity, love, and the cost of betrayal.
