# II explained — Pablo de Segovia, the Spanish Sharper

> Chapter companion for Pablo de Segovia, the Spanish Sharper by Francisco de Quevedo.

## What happens

Pablo recounts his early school days, his friendship with Don Diego Coronel, and a series of misadventures including a humiliating fall into a sewer during a Shrovetide festival, a confrontation with a counselor, and his decision to leave his parents' home.

## Themes in this chapter

### Social Class and Identity

Pablo's desire to associate with gentlemen's sons and his shame about his parents' lowly trades highlight class anxieties.

### Poverty and Desperation

The starving horse and the squalid conditions of Pablo's school and home life reflect material deprivation.

### Satire of Hypocrisy

Pablo's master laughs at his innocent mistake in the Creed, and the school's harsh discipline is juxtaposed with the mistress's favoritism.

## Character check-ins

### Pablo de Segovia

Narrator and protagonist; attends school, befriends Don Diego, and endures public humiliation.

### Don Diego Coronel

Pablo's friend and son of Don Alonso Coronel de Zuñiga; encourages Pablo to insult a counselor.

### Don Alonso Coronel de Zuñiga

Don Diego's father; his family welcomes Pablo into their home.

### Aldonza Saturno de Rebollo

Pablo's mother; mentioned when Pablo fears being mistaken for her during the market pelting.

## Key lines

> I answered, that in that filthy condition I had none but what were offensive to the nose alone.

Pablo jokes that his only weapons are the foul smells coming from his mud-covered body.

_Pablo's witty retort to the officer after falling into the sewer._

> I said, 'He suffered under Pontio de Aguirre.'

Pablo mistakenly substitutes the name of the counselor who chased him for Pontius Pilate in the Creed.

_A humorous example of Pablo's fear and naivety after being whipped._

> Mother, all that troubles me is, that some of the standers-by told me I had no cause to be disturbed at it; and I did not ask them what they meant, because he was so young that said it.

Pablo is more upset by the bystanders' insinuations than by the insult itself, and regrets not questioning them.

_Shows Pablo's growing awareness of social stigma and his mother's complicity._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/pablo_de_segovia_the_spanish_sharper_se/chapters/ii
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/pablo_de_segovia_the_spanish_sharper_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/pablo_de_segovia_the_spanish_sharper_se/chapters