Reflections od picaresque literature in cordel literature: analysis of 'Presepadas de Pedro Malazarte' and 'Proezas de João Grilo'

Abstract

Between the 16th and 17th centuries in Spain a new narrative form emerged that began to bring stories of marginalized protagonists in the struggle for survival and, later, became known as the picaresque novel. One of the books considered the germ of picaresque literature is Lazarillo de Tormes, of unknown authorship, probably published between 1552 and 1553. From the 17th century onwards, several books appeared in different countries around the world influenced by this new narrative form. In this article, we will analyze the Brazilian cordéis Presepadas de Pedro Malazarte and Proezas de João Grilo, released in the 20th century, from the perspective of picaresque literature. For this, we will list theorists who reflected on the subject, such as Mario González, Francisco Topa and Antonio Candido, in addition to reviewing the influence of picaresque literature on some Brazilian novels and analyzing in detail the cited cordéis.