Epic
The Lusiads
Os Lusíadas
Luís de Camões · 1572
Synopsis
The poem opens in medias res: Vasco da Gama's fleet is already in the Indian Ocean when the gods of Olympus, gathered by Jupiter, are divided over its fate, Bacchus wanting its ruin, Venus and Mars protecting it. After the snares of Mozambique and Mombasa, the king of Malindi welcomes the navigators, and Gama tells him the history of Portugal, from Inês de Castro to Aljubarrota, then the departure from Lisbon and the passage of the Cape of Storms, guarded by the giant Adamastor.
Context
Composed for the most part in the East and published in 1572, two years after its author's return, the poem has ten cantos and one thousand one hundred and two stanzas in eight-line stanzas. The Holy Office authorised its printing, while pointing out that the pagan gods in it are only an ornament and, as far as the faith is concerned, demons. Two printings bear the date 1572, distinguished by the pelican on the title page: Rita Marnoto's critical edition established that the one whose head is turned to the right is a later forgery, printed on paper of 1580 or 1581. In France, the first printed translation, by Duperron de Castéra, appeared in 1735.
Who it is for
An epic in ten cantos, in octaves; the mythology and geography call for notes, which the bilingual editions provide.
Prizes and reception
Regarded as the major work of the Portuguese language; 10 June, the day of its author's death, is Portugal's national day.
Sources for this page 14
The pages consulted to check this page.