Final answer:
Malinche, also known as Malintzin, was a vital figure in the Spanish conquest of the Aztecs as Hernán Cortés's interpreter and advisor. She is both praised and criticized for her role, which was pivotal in the communication and negotiations with the Aztec Empire.
Step-by-step explanation:
The name Malinche refers to a Nahua woman named Malintzin, also known as La Malinche or Doña Marina, who played a crucial role in the Spanish conquest of the Aztec Empire. Gifted to Hernán Cortés by the natives of Tabasco, La Malinche served as interpreter, adviser, spy, and eventually became Cortés's mistress.
She is a complex and controversial figure in history, seen by some as a traitor for aiding the Spaniards, while others view her as a victim of colonial circumstances. Her translation and negotiation skills were indispensable for Cortés's interactions with Aztec Emperor Moctezuma and other indigenous groups, thus enabling the Spanish to form alliances and destabilize the Aztec Empire.