13. Mariano Guzmán – The Romantic / The Idealized Masculine / The Sheltered Suitor
Cast as the perfect match - but longing to be seen for who he truly is
2025-06-17Archetype: The Accident-Prone One / Gentle Masculine / Disarming Supporter
Agustín Madrigal is the archetypal Gentle Father—an embodiment of vulnerability, devotion, and emotional safety. Though not born into the magical bloodline, he has fully integrated into the family through compassion and quiet strength. His physical clumsiness becomes symbolic: he moves through a home built on perfection and pressure, constantly bumping into expectations that were never designed for him. Yet, rather than become resentful or withdrawn, he meets these missteps with humor and tenderness.
In Jungian terms, Agustín aligns with The Fool in its highest form—not the bumbling idiot, but the wise and humble soul who reveals deeper truths through unguarded presence. He also represents the Ally archetype, a masculine figure who provides protection not through aggression, but through trustworthiness and emotional attunement. He is not powerful in the traditional sense, but he is safe—and that safety is its own kind of magic.
From an Internal Family Systems (IFS) perspective, Agustín appears to live close to Self-energy. He doesn't operate from harsh Manager parts or reactive Firefighters. Instead, he consistently offers calmness, support, and gentle humor—even when injured or dismissed. His role as Mirabel's father further reveals this dynamic: he defends her softly, aligns with her emotionally, and never demands she be anything other than herself.
Through the lens of the 7 Inner Child Archetypes, Agustín reflects someone who has stayed connected to his Playful Inner Child. This allows him to be emotionally expressive and non-defensive, even when faced with rejection or chaos. He offers a lived example of how masculinity can be nurturing, non-dominating, and open-hearted.
Agustín’s presence in the story serves as a subtle counterbalance to the rigid expectations surrounding him. At the same time, there is a subtle possibility that his frequent clumsiness could unconsciously serve as a way to receive affection from Julieta—hinting at a 'poor me' pattern that invites care and reinforces the caregiving loop. He offers Mirabel what the rest of the system withholds: unconditional positive regard. His transformation may be quiet, but it is profound. By simply staying soft in a hard house, he reclaims space for gentleness in a system defined by strength.—especially for Mirabel. He serves as a foil to Abuela’s control, representing Supportive Fatherhood and Harmless Masculinity. His archetype is sometimes known as The Fool, but here it carries deep emotional competence beneath the bumbling.
