Who Is Bonzo Madrid in Ender’s Game?

By Anna Duncan

Bonzo Madrid is a pivotal character in the science fiction novel Ender’s Game written by Orson Scott Card. He is a commander at the Battle School, which is a training facility for young children to become military leaders in a future war against an alien race known as the Buggers.

Early Life and Training
Bonzo Madrid was born on Earth, and his real name was Bonito de Madrid. He was from Brazil but his family moved to Spain when he was young. Bonzo was sent to Battle School when he was only six years old, where he quickly rose through the ranks and became one of the youngest commanders in its history.

Bonzo’s Personality

Bonzo Madrid is portrayed as an aggressive and arrogant character throughout the novel. He often bullies and intimidates other students, especially Ender Wiggin, who is the main protagonist of the story. Bonzo is jealous of Ender’s natural leadership abilities and sees him as a threat to his own position of power.

Bonzo’s Relationship with Ender Wiggin

Bonzo and Ender have a tumultuous relationship throughout their time at Battle School. Bonzo sees Ender as a rival and tries to undermine him at every opportunity. However, Ender manages to outsmart Bonzo in several simulations during their training, which only adds to Bonzo’s resentment towards him.

The Final Battle
The climax of the novel revolves around a simulated battle between Ender’s team and another team led by Bonzo Madrid. During this battle, Bonzo orders his soldiers to attack Ender directly despite it being against the rules of engagement. Ender defends himself by using excessive force which leads to Bonzo’s death.

In Conclusion

In conclusion, Bonzo Madrid is an important character in Ender’s Game. He is a skilled commander who is ultimately undone by his own arrogance and jealousy. His fate serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of underestimating one’s opponents and the consequences of letting personal vendettas cloud one’s judgment.

  • Bonzo Madrid was born in Brazil but later moved to Spain.
  • He was sent to Battle School when he was only six years old.
  • Bonzo is jealous of Ender Wiggin’s natural leadership abilities.
  • He orders his soldiers to attack Ender directly, which leads to his death.