Why did Cortes hold Montezuma as hostage?

Cortes held Montezuma as a hostage to exert control over the Aztec Empire and to secure his own safety and the safety of his men. By capturing Montezuma, he aimed to manipulate the political structure of the Aztecs, leveraging Montezuma's authority to gain compliance from his subjects. This strategy was part of Cortes's broader plan to conquer the empire and seize its riches while minimizing resistance from the Aztecs. Ultimately, this tactic backfired, leading to increased tensions and conflict.