Barroco em Portugal [Prof. Noslen]

Summary

This lecture explores Baroque literature in Portugal, focusing on its emergence around 1580, following the death of Camões, and its historical context amid the struggles for independence from Spain. Key themes include the conflict between religious and secular ideas, as well as duality and complexity in the human experience. The lecture covers the distinctive literary approaches of Occultism, with its focus on intricate wordplay, and Conceptivism, based on rationalism and logical argument. Prominent authors like Padre António Vieira, Francisco Manuel de Melo, and Padre Manuel Bernardes are discussed, with a focus on their critiques of society through Baroque literary forms.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Baroque period in Portugal began around 1580, following the death of the great Portuguese writer Luís de Camões.
• 😀 The Baroque period in Portugal lasted until around 1756, with the main cultural movements of the time including the discovery of Brazil and conflicts with the Spanish and Dutch.
• 😀 Baroque literature in Portugal developed amid the religious and political conflicts of the time, including the War of Restoration and struggles with Spain and the Netherlands.
• 😀 The Baroque is often characterized by duality, complexity, and an intense focus on religious and secular themes, often juxtaposed in the same literary work.
• 😀 The Baroque period is marked by exaggerated details, often using antithesis and paradox to highlight contrasting ideas, such as the tension between the divine and the earthly.
• 😀 Key figures in Baroque literature include Padre António Vieira, known for works like *Sermão de Santo António aos Peixes* and *Sermão do Bom Ladrão*.
• 😀 Baroque literature also reflects the broader European context of religious tensions, particularly the Catholic vs. Protestant divide, with the Church losing power in Europe.
• 😀 The literary style of Baroque Portugal can be categorized into two major schools of thought: occultism, focusing on ornamented and complex language, and conceptivism, emphasizing rationalism and logical thinking.
• 😀 Occultism, influenced by Spanish poet Góngora, is characterized by ornate and hidden language, while conceptivism, influenced by Quevedo, focuses on rationalism and convincing the reader through logical discourse.
• 😀 Baroque themes also explore the tension between anthropocentrism (the belief in human centrality) and theocentrism (the belief in God’s centrality), with these ideas often being presented and critiqued in the literature.
• 😀 The Baroque period in Portugal paved the way for the development of Arcadism in the 18th century, leading to a shift in literary styles and themes, which was also influenced by events in Brazil during this time.

Q & A

What is the time frame for the Baroque period in Portugal?

The Baroque period in Portugal began around 1580, with the death of Luís de Camões, and lasted until approximately 1756.

Who is considered the greatest representative of the Portuguese Baroque period?

Padre António Vieira is considered the greatest representative of the Baroque period in Portugal.

What major historical event marked the Baroque period in Portugal?

The Baroque period in Portugal coincided with the struggle for independence from Spain, which was eventually achieved in 1640.

What are the key characteristics of Baroque literature in Portugal?

Baroque literature in Portugal is characterized by exaggeration, religious and secular themes, duality, complexity, and the use of antithesis and complex language. It also emphasizes the tension between theocentrism and anthropocentrism.

What was the religious and political situation in Europe during the Baroque period?

Europe faced a crisis between the Renaissance humanism and medieval religious values, influenced by events like the Protestant Reformation and the Counter-Reformation, which led to significant religious and political tensions.

What are the two main intellectual approaches in Baroque literature as discussed in the script?

The two main intellectual approaches are 'Ocultismo' (focused on wordplay and hidden meanings) and 'Conceptismo' (focused on rationalism and logical thinking to persuade the reader).

How does the tension between anthropocentrism and theocentrism manifest in Baroque literature?

Baroque literature reflects the ongoing battle between anthropocentrism (placing humans at the center of the universe) and theocentrism (placing God at the center), with works exploring both perspectives and often critiquing one another.

What is the significance of the works of Padre António Vieira?

Padre António Vieira's works, such as 'Sermão de Santo António aos Peixes' and 'Sermão do Bom Ladrão,' are significant for their blending of religious themes with sharp societal critiques, often addressing the tension between the divine and the earthly realms.

What was the social and political context in Portugal during the Baroque period?

Portugal was involved in conflicts with the Dutch and Spain, struggling to maintain its independence and territorial integrity. This was also a time of colonization, with Portugal exerting control over territories like Brazil.

How did the Baroque period in Portugal influence Brazil?

The Baroque period in Portugal laid the groundwork for Baroque literature in Brazil, as literary movements from Europe, including Baroque, were adopted and adapted by Brazilian writers in the colonial context.