Desilusión (2) by Julio Bonnet

Desilusión (2) is a Tango written by Julio Bonnet and composed by José María Rizzuti.

Story behind the Tango Desilusión (2)

The primary theme of “Desilusión (2)” conveys profound heartbreak and betrayal. Julio Bonnet encapsulates the emotional turmoil of a persona whose love and trust are shattered by the cruel actions of a beloved, depicted as a ‘mujer fatal y cruel’—a fatal and cruel woman. The lyrics move through stages of shock, realization, and eventual scorn towards the beloved, emphasizing the emotional journey from love to disillusionment.

Symbolism of Desilusión (2)

In “Desilusión (2),” Bonnet employs intense emotional language and imagery to enhance the depth of the protagonist’s betrayal. Key phrases such as ‘Desilusión que estremeció mi ser’ (Disillusion that shook my being) and ‘mujer sin sentimiento’ (woman without feeling) underscore the cruelty felt by the narrator. The transformation of the narrator’s love into ‘la hiel de mi desprecio’ (the gall of my scorn) symbolizes a turn from sweet love to bitter disdain, illustrating the severity of the emotional shift.

Desilusión (2) in Historic Context

“Desilusión (2)” was created in Argentina in 1926, a period when Tango was often a medium to express personal sufferings and societal issues. The emotional themes such as betrayal and disillusionment in this tango may reflect wider social sentiments of the era, where traditional values were increasingly scrutinized and questioned. This backdrop could have influenced Bonnet’s portrayal of deceit and the focus on emotional resilience, common in the narratives of traditional tango lyrics.

Julio Bonnet

Julio Bonnet was a distinguished poet and lyricist known for his contributions to the Tango genre in Argentina.