The argument Ollantay tells how the protagonist, a great warrior but plebeian origin, falls in love with the daughter of the Inca Pachacutec. It is a relationship prohibited by the laws of the time, given the social difference between the two. In the play we are told about Ollantay's struggle to get married to his beloved.
This work is written in the colonial Quechua language and is considered by many scholars as the oldest sample of literature in this language. Although there are several hypotheses about its origin and authorship, it seems that it could have gone from being an old only oral story to being written later during the colonial era.
Hypothesis about the origin of Ollantay
There are three main hypotheses about the origin of the work. In the first place there is the so-called Inca thesis, which states that the text comes from the time before the arrival of the Spanish in America. Those who affirm this are based on the style and language in which it is written.
The second thesis, the Hispanic one, affirms that it is a work written during the colony by some Spanish author. However, this hypothesis is the one with the least support.
Finally, we find the third theory, the so-called Hispano-Inca thesis. According to this, Ollantay would have been a story of Inca origin that was represented during special indigenous celebrations.
Upon arrival, the Spanish put it on paper and adapted some circumstances to turn it into a theatrical work closer to their tastes.
Ollantay's argument
The protagonist, Ollantay, is one of the best generals who fight for the Inca Pachacútec. In reward for his successes, he even named him Governor of Antisuyo.
Despite his merits, Ollantay is of commoner origin, so when he falls in love with the Inca's daughter, Cusi Coyllur, he has to keep the relationship a secret. The laws of the time prohibited the aristocracy and commoners from marrying, so they could not bring it to light.
However, Ollantay tries to convince the father of his beloved. This, upon learning of the relationship, flies into a rage. Not only does he kick out the suitor, but he locks his daughter in prison.
From there, Ollantay flees to Antiyuso and rebels against the ruler. They are long years of struggle, during which the Inca dies and his position is inherited by his son, Túpac Yupanqui.
One of the new Inca's generals devises a stratagem to capture Ollantay, convincing him that he is going to join his troops.
The trap works, and the rebel is taken prisoner before Túpac Yupanqui. To his surprise, the new monarch not only does not execute him, but also grants him new positions.
At that moment the daughter of Cusy Coyllur appears, born during the captivity of the mother. Ollantay is excited to see her daughter, who is there to plead for mercy for the prisoner.
Tupac Yupanqui himself was unaware of his sister's situation and, after seeing her in a painful state and listening to her requests, he decided to forgive them all and allow the two lovers to marry without problems.
References
- Inca newspaper. Summary the Ollantay. Obtained from es.diarioinca.com
- Analysis of Literary Works. Analysis of the literary work Ollantay. Obtained from analisisdeobrasliterarias.com
- Project Gutenberg EBook. Apu Ollantay. Recovered from gutenberg.org
- Ray, Andrew M. Reading Ollantay: The Negotiation of Communication in Colonial Quechua Theater. Retrieved from trace.tennessee.edu
- Rick Vecchio. Ollantaytambo: an enduring Inca temple and a Quechua love story. Obtained from fertur-travel.com