Here's a rundown of Ibarra's key characteristics:
* Educated and idealistic: He has studied in Europe and is deeply influenced by Enlightenment ideals of reason, progress, and justice. He hopes to improve the lives of his fellow Filipinos through education, technology, and social reform.
* Romantic and passionate: He is deeply in love with María Clara, a beautiful and virtuous woman who is unfortunately betrothed to the corrupt and hypocritical Padre Dámaso.
* A victim of circumstance: His father was falsely accused of rebellion and died in prison. This tragedy fuels Ibarra's desire for justice and reform, but it also makes him a target of the corrupt Spanish authorities and the friars.
* A symbol of Filipino aspirations: Ibarra represents the hopes and dreams of a people yearning for freedom and progress. However, his idealism is constantly tested by the realities of Spanish colonialism and the power of the friars.
Ibarra's journey in *Noli Me Tangere* is marked by tragedy and disappointment:
* He faces constant opposition from the friars and the Spanish authorities who see him as a threat to their power.
* He is falsely accused of rebellion and forced to flee his homeland.
* He is ultimately betrayed by his friends and loved ones, culminating in a tragic climax that leaves him heartbroken and disillusioned.
In *El Filibusterismo*, Ibarra returns as Simoun, a bitter and vengeful revolutionary:
* His experience in *Noli Me Tangere* has hardened him, turning him into a radical revolutionary who believes that only violence can bring about change.
* He orchestrates a series of elaborate schemes designed to overthrow the Spanish colonial regime and bring about the downfall of his enemies.
Crisóstomo Ibarra is a complex and multifaceted character who embodies both the hope and despair of the Filipino people under Spanish colonialism. He remains one of the most iconic and enduring characters in Philippine literature.