Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz, a renowned Mexican poet and intellectual of the 17th century, came from a large family with at least four siblings: María de los Ángeles, Josefa María, Catalina de San José, and Francisco de Borja. These siblings shared a close bond and played significant roles in each other’s lives and the life of their famous sister.
Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz’s Immediate Family
Hey folks! Let’s dive into the world of Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz and her family tree. First up, we have her parents, María Ignacia de Asbaje y Ramírez de Santillana and José María de Asbaje y Ramírez de Santillana. They were pretty important people, shaping Juana’s life from the get-go.
Then we’ve got Juana’s sisters: Manuela, María Antonia, Teresa María, and Juana María. These ladies were her besties, and they shared everything from secrets to poetry. And let’s not forget her half-brother, Ignacio María de Asbaje y Navarrete. Hey, even though they had different moms, they still had each other’s backs.
Extended Family
Extended Family: A Web of Connections
Sor Juana’s Half-Brothers:
Pedro Manuel and Antonio Manuel de Asbaje y Navarrete were Sor Juana’s half-brothers from her father’s second marriage. Pedro Manuel was a wealthy merchant and landowner, while Antonio Manuel held a military rank in the Spanish army.
Despite their different backgrounds, Pedro Manuel and Antonio Manuel played important roles in Sor Juana’s life. Pedro Manuel provided financial support to his younger sister, enabling her to pursue her education and literary interests. Antonio Manuel, on the other hand, offered protection and guidance during Sor Juana’s formative years.
Notable Connections:
Beyond her immediate family, Sor Juana also had a network of influential extended family members. These included:
- Her uncles: Gaspar de Asbaje y Navarrete, a high-ranking clergyman, and Francisco de Asbaje y Navarrete, a prominent lawyer.
- Her cousins: Diego de León y Asbaje, a historian, and Juan Antonio de Asbaje y Navarrete, a poet.
These connections exposed Sor Juana to a wide range of ideas, discussions, and intellectual stimulation that shaped her thinking and writing. The support and encouragement she received from her extended family undoubtedly contributed to her success as a scholar and artist.
Sor Juana’s Relatives by Marriage
Juana Inés de Asbaje y Ramírez de Santillana y Carrillo de Peralta, Sor Juana’s stepmother, was a pivotal figure in her life. As a young child, Sor Juana witnessed her father’s second marriage, and it wasn’t an easy transition for her.
Juana Inés Sr.’s relationship with her stepmother was initially strained. Sor Juana felt like Juana Inés Jr. was taking her place in her father’s affections. She also found it hard to adjust to Juana Inés Jr.’s strict parenting style.
However, over time, Sor Juana came to admire and respect her stepmother. Juana Inés Jr. was a devout Catholic, and she instilled in Sor Juana a deep faith. She also encouraged Sor Juana’s intellectual pursuits and helped her develop her critical thinking skills.
Juana Inés Jr.’s influence on Sor Juana was profound. Sor Juana’s writings often reflected the values and teachings that she had learned from her stepmother. Juana Inés Jr.’s love of learning inspired Sor Juana to become one of the most renowned intellectuals of her time.
Well, folks, that’s all for today’s dive into the fascinating family of Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz. Thanks for sticking with us on this literary journey! If you enjoyed this article, be sure to check back in later for more tales from the archives. We’ve got plenty more where this came from, so stay tuned for more literary adventures and untold stories.