Dulcinea (musical inspiration)
from Man of LaMancha, Placido Domingo
Chapter 3 of the Sacred Romance challenges us to examine the arrows lodged deeply in our hearts. The wounds inflicted by living in a hostile world, intent on drowning out the sweet intimacy between the human heart and its Creator. The message of the enemy's arrows come to mortally wound us. They come to pervert our God-given identity and thereby, divert us from our destiny.
As I read this chapter I was reminded of one of literature's most romantic characters, Don Quixote, Lord of LaMancha, knight-errant on a quest to right all wrongs and to raise up the weak and the poor.
I rented the movie and was drawn to the interchange between Don Quixote and Aldonza, as the perfect illustration of the vying that occurs between the romance and the arrows.
Aldonza is a kitchen maid/prostitute. She is a woman who has been beaten-down and defends herself with anger and bitterness. To her, men are abusers, and she has long since hardened her heart to the notion that a man could/would ever love her. She accepts money from the male patrons at the inn for sexual favors. Her hatred is expressed in these words, "When I am dead, no man will miss me for life's a cruel and dirty game. So you can curse or you can kiss me, it's all the same! It's all the same! Oh, I have seen too many beds but I have known too little rest. I have loved too many men with hatred burning in my breast!"
Upon arriving at the inn (castle) Don Quixote is smitten when he first sees her. This is what he says to her, "Dear God! It is she! Sweet lady, fair virgin, I dare not gaze fully upon thy countenance as I'd be blinded by thy beauty."
Aldonza is baffled by this and the others laugh and mock at her being referred to as a lady and virgin!
Don Quixote continues, "I implore you, speak once your name." She replies, "Aldonza."
In disbelief, Don Quixote continues, "Milady jests! Aldonza! The name of a kitchen scullion or milady's serving maid!" She seethes at him, "I told you my name, now get out of the way!"
Don Quixote is not moved by her reaction, he calls her by a new name: "Dulcinea, Dulcinea. I see heaven when I see thee Dulcinea, and thy name is like a prayer an angel whispers, Dulcinea, Dulcinea. If I reach out to thee, do not tremble and shrink from the touch of my hand on thy hair. Let my fingers but see thou art warm and alive and no phantom to fade in the air. Dulcinea, Dulcinea, I have sought thee, sung thee, dreamed thee, Dulcinea. Now I've found thee, and the world shall know thy glory. Dulcinea, Dulcinea!"
Throughout the rest of the story, we see the struggle between Don Quixote and Aldonza. He continues to call her Dulcinea, imputing beauty, value and nobility to her and she continually fights back, reminding him that she is Aldonza, a vile creature.
But at last our valiant knight prevails as we watch Aldonza transformed to Dulcinea. By the end of the quest, when called "Aldonza" by the squire, she quickly corrects him, "I am, Dulcinea!"
Don Quixote, brave and noble knight fulfills his quest by righting the wrong done to the heart of this fair lady!
And so, the wooing of our Lord, Jesus Christ. A noble knight who comes from a far-away kingdom to defy the arrow's reality and to rescue our battered and wounded hearts. "Come, my love, arise from thy lowly kitchen chores ... arise, my lady, my love - "Dulcinea!"
Selah, So be it.
Isaiah 62:2 (NIV): The nations will see your vindication, and all kings your glory; you will be called by a new name that the mouth of the LORD will bestow.
