# XII explained — Trafalgar

> Chapter companion for Trafalgar by Benito Pérez Galdós.

## What happens

In the aftermath of the Battle of Trafalgar, the crew of the Santísima Trinidad struggles to keep the sinking ship afloat. Don Alonso learns from an English officer of the devastating losses suffered by the Spanish fleet, including the deaths of Churruca and Galiano, and the capture of many ships. The English mourn the death of Lord Nelson. A violent storm further endangers the ship, and the crew is eventually evacuated as the vessel founders.

## Themes in this chapter

### The Romance and Reality of War

The chapter starkly contrasts the glory of battle with the grim aftermath: sinking ships, drowned wounded, and the emotional toll of loss.

### Honor and Duty

Don Alonso's refusal to leave the sinking ship until last and the dignified composure of Uriarte and Cisneros highlight the theme of duty and honor in the face of defeat.

### Old Age and Obsolescence

Don Alonso's advanced age and his emotional vulnerability, shedding tears for lost friends, underscore the theme of obsolescence in a changing world.

## Character check-ins

### Don Alonso Gutierrez de Cisniega

Grieves over lost friends and ships, learns of the deaths of Churruca and Galiano, and refuses to leave the sinking ship until last.

### Señor Marcial

Recognizes the San Ildefonso among the scattered fleets.

### Churruca

Reported killed in the battle.

### Alcalá Galiano

Reported dead, mourned by Don Alonso.

### Lord Nelson

Mortally wounded early in the battle; his death is mourned by the English officer.

### Don Francisco Xavier de Uriarte

Takes the announcement of the ship's condition with dignified composure and embarks in the English captain's gig.

### Cisneros

Takes the announcement of the ship's condition with dignified composure and embarks in the English captain's gig.

### Gravina

Mentioned as having withdrawn with some ships; his fate is uncertain to Don Alonso.

## Key lines

> My master could not control his emotion and as, at his advanced age, presence of mind is lacking at such terrible moments, he suffered the slight humiliation of shedding a few tears as he remembered his lost friends.

Don Alonso, overwhelmed by grief and his advanced age, wept for his fallen friends, feeling a touch of shame at his lack of composure.

_Highlights Don Alonso's emotional vulnerability and the theme of old age._

> We have lost our greatest man, the bravest of the brave—our noble, heroic, incomparable Nelson.

The English officer mourns Nelson as the greatest and bravest man, unable to hide his sorrow.

_Shows the mutual respect and shared grief between enemies._

> The idea of being taken into Gibraltar as prisoners was intolerable, not so much to me perhaps as to men of punctilious honor and sensitive dignity like my master whose mental anguish at the thought must have been intolerable.

The narrator reflects that the prospect of captivity was far more unbearable for honorable men like Don Alonso than for himself.

_Emphasizes the theme of honor and the psychological impact of defeat._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/trafalgar_se/chapters/xii
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/trafalgar_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/trafalgar_se/chapters