# Cabesang Tales — El Filibusterismo character guide

> Cabesang Tales in El Filibusterismo by José Rizal.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Tales, Matanglawin, poor Tales

**First appearance:** 0006-iv-cabesang-tales

## Snapshot

A peaceful farmer who cleared forest land with his family, only to have a religious corporation claim the fields and offer him the usufruct for a yearly fee.

## Who they are

Tales is the sort of man who would rather pay than litigate, telling himself that to fight the friars is to smash a clay pot against an iron one. He lost his wife and eldest daughter to the clearing of that land, and now he is asked to be grateful for the privilege of farming it. His submission, and the slow cost of it, sets the novel's early measure of what patience actually purchases.

## Relationships

### [Simoun](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/el_filibusterismo_se/characters/simoun)

_psychological_

Simoun manipulates Cabesang Tales, a peasant driven to banditry, using his anger against the friars.

### [Simoun](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/el_filibusterismo_se/characters/simoun)

_psychological_

Simoun manipulates Cabesang Tales, a peasant driven to banditry, using his anger against the friars.

### [Simoun](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/el_filibusterismo_se/characters/simoun)

_psychological_

Simoun manipulates Cabesang Tales, a peasant driven to banditry, using his anger against the friars.

## In the story

### [El Filibusterismo](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/el_filibusterismo_se/chapters/el-filibusterismo)

A farmer whose land dispute symbolizes the exploitation of the native population by the church and state.

### [IV: Cabesang Tales](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/el_filibusterismo_se/chapters/iv-cabesang-tales)

The protagonist of the chapter, a farmer who clears land, faces rent increases, and fights a legal battle against the friars, ultimately resorting to armed patrol of his fields.

### [A Cochero's Christmas Eve](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/el_filibusterismo_se/chapters/v-a-cochero-s-christmas-eve)

Mentioned as having been kidnapped, affecting Basilio's mood.

### [IX: Pilates](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/el_filibusterismo_se/chapters/ix-pilates)

Captured by the Civil Guard; upon return, finds his land taken, his father mute, and his daughter in servitude, and sits in silence.

### [X: Wealth and Want](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/el_filibusterismo_se/chapters/x-wealth-and-want)

Hosts Simoun, becomes increasingly distressed by the sight of the jewels and the laughter of the friar and usurper, steals Simoun's revolver, and joins the tulisanes after committing three murders.

### [A Corpse](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/el_filibusterismo_se/chapters/xxiii-a-corpse)

Mentioned by Simoun as being below and ready to join the revolution.

### [Ben-Zayb's Afflictions](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/el_filibusterismo_se/chapters/xxxvi-ben-zayb-s-afflictions)

Referenced as Matanglawin, leader of the outlaws whose band was to join the plot.

### [Fatality](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/el_filibusterismo_se/chapters/xxxviii-fatality)

Referred to as Matanglawin, the feared leader of a band of tulisanes terrorizing Luzon.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/el_filibusterismo_se/characters/cabesang_tales
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/el_filibusterismo_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/el_filibusterismo_se/characters