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The Columbiad · Character

Bartholomew de las Casas

The Spanish friar and historian, defender of indigenous rights, appearing as a moral voice.

minor

Also known as Bartholomew

First appearance: book i

Bartholomew de las Casas's tie to Christopher Columbus is one of the pressures that moves The Columbiad—worth meeting in the text, not only on a cast list.

Mentioned as a heroic figure unable to stop the destruction of the native peoples.
In the storyBook IVOpen this moment free

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With Christopher Columbus (friendship): Las Casas is a sympathetic chronicler and ally of Columbus, defending his legacy while critiquing…

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The fuller portrait of Bartholomew de las Casas sits in Reading Lens — open the free preview to keep reading with notes on the page.

See Bartholomew de las Casas in book i

Character Web

8 connections

A slice of how Bartholomew de las Casas sits in the book — open the reader for the full interactive map.

CCChristopher Co…FEFerdinandCVCharles VSPSir Philip Sid…GDGarcilasso de …BDBartholomew de las C…

Relationship types

  • Friendship
  • Other

Character groups

  • Epic Cast of History
  • Protagonist
  • Founders and Historians

+3 more in the full Character Web

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Narrative arc

Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Exposition.

SetupEscalationClimax
  • Setup
  • Escalation
  • Breaking point
  • Aftermath
  • Closing

In this climactic moment, Columbus reaches his emotional and psychological peak by confronting his deepest dou…

Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.

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Relationships

Relationship notes

How these ties play out is in the reading companion — open the free preview.

See Bartholomew de las Casas in book i

In the story

Bartholomew de las Casas appears across 1 companion beat. Open any chapter in the free preview to see the notes beside the text.

Chapter companion notes

Spoil-light check-ins for Bartholomew de las Casas unlock in the free preview.

See Bartholomew de las Casas in book i