The symbolic power of the world's first circumnavigation: An approach from political communication

Abstract

This article aims to approach the consequences, within the scope of soft power in Joseph Nye's terms, undergone by the Hispanic Monarchy due to the World's first circumnavigation, performed by Magalhães and Elcano. To that end, the symbolic power of this journey will be analysed from the communication theory through the application of Burke's dramatic pentad as a contribution to a better understanding of the endeavour's impact on historical geography. We have critically analysed historical sources, such as Pigafetta's diary and Transilvano's letter, close to the Spanish perspective on the feat. The results show the possible existence of a political communication strategy from the very beginning of the feat and the awareness of the important power that information enabled from the World's first circumnavigation five hundred years ago.