*Ø* Blogmanac | June 10 1580| The death of Luis de Camões
Luís Vaz de Camões (or Camoens) (1524 or 1525-1580) is widely considered Portugal’s national bard. The Lisbon-born poet studied to be a priest, but did not take orders; later he embarked on a military career, losing an eye at Ceuta. Camões was shipwrecked while returning to Goa in India after spending time in Macao. The shipwreck was a tragedy for him and the world, as he lost everything but his major poem, Os Luciados (The Lusiads, or Lusitanians - the Portuguese, 1572). The beautiful poetry is added to by a robust, realistic narrative that covers the voyage of Vasco da Gama and also much of Portuguese history.
Camões mixed Christian and pagan symbolism and themes in his epic poem, a dangerous thing to do in 16th-century Portugal. However, the ecclesiastical authorities, represented by a Dominican priest named Ferreira, examined the manuscript and gave permission for the poem’s publication, finding nothing contrary to the faith or morality in it; the mythology was regarded as poetic licence. The king even gave the poet a pension for his troubles, though not a large one.
Camões returned to Portugal living in poverty and obscurity. Lusiads was published and very successful, but Camões died poor in a public hospital. The day of his death is celebrated as the National Day of Portugal each year.
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(My ISP is still having POP server problems, so I've had no emails for 3 days. The Almanac ezines and Almost Prophetic Quotes will return as soon as possible. Thanks for your patience.)
Luís Vaz de Camões (or Camoens) (1524 or 1525-1580) is widely considered Portugal’s national bard. The Lisbon-born poet studied to be a priest, but did not take orders; later he embarked on a military career, losing an eye at Ceuta. Camões was shipwrecked while returning to Goa in India after spending time in Macao. The shipwreck was a tragedy for him and the world, as he lost everything but his major poem, Os Luciados (The Lusiads, or Lusitanians - the Portuguese, 1572). The beautiful poetry is added to by a robust, realistic narrative that covers the voyage of Vasco da Gama and also much of Portuguese history.
Camões mixed Christian and pagan symbolism and themes in his epic poem, a dangerous thing to do in 16th-century Portugal. However, the ecclesiastical authorities, represented by a Dominican priest named Ferreira, examined the manuscript and gave permission for the poem’s publication, finding nothing contrary to the faith or morality in it; the mythology was regarded as poetic licence. The king even gave the poet a pension for his troubles, though not a large one.
Camões returned to Portugal living in poverty and obscurity. Lusiads was published and very successful, but Camões died poor in a public hospital. The day of his death is celebrated as the National Day of Portugal each year.
(My ISP is still having POP server problems, so I've had no emails for 3 days. The Almanac ezines and Almost Prophetic Quotes will return as soon as possible. Thanks for your patience.)
Pip Wilson posted item above at 3:53 AM | Permalink
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