Question

Analysis of Pigafetta’s Chronicle

Answer 1

Answer:

The chronicle of Pigafetta

Explanation:

The chronicle of Pigafetta was one of the most cited documents by historians who wished to study the precolonial Philippines. As one of the ealiest written accounts, Pigafetta was seen as a credible source for a period, which was prior unchronicled and undocumented. Moreover, being the earliest detailed documentation, it was believed that Pigafetta’ s writings account for the “purest” precolonial society. Indeed, Pigafetta’ s work is of great importance in the study and writing of Philippines history. Nevertheless, there needs to have a more nuanced reading of the source within a contextual backdrop. A student of history should recognize certain biases accompanying the author and his identity, loyalties, and the circumstances that he was in; and how it affected the text that he produced. In the case of Pigafetta, the reader needs to understand that he was a chronicler commissioned by the King of Spain to accompany and document a voyage intended to expand the Spanish empire.

Answer 2

Answer:

Antonio Pigafetta, set out to circumnavigate the world and he chronicled his knowledge on the natural world, the use of various resources and his search of various spices and produce for selling which proved to be very helpful in understanding the people and languages of Philippines.

Explanation:

In Spain, a group of 240 men had set out to circumnavigate the world and one of the members was Antonio Pigafetta, who was one of the 18 men to have completed the entire trip and returned to Spain in 1522.

On the course of the trip, Pigafetta chronicled his journey and his analysis not only provides us information about the voyage  but also the western description of the people and languages of Philippines.

Pigafetta had chronicled his knowledge of the natutral world and the use of its various resources, as the whole purpose of this entire voyage was to find spices and produce for selling. During the course of their trip, they even found some unknown species which surprised them owing to its size.

Pigafetta's journal played a major role in understanding the Philippine history during its precolonial periods. It even talks about the Filipinos, their government, characteristics, attitude etc.