Luís de Camões - Os Lusíadas / The Lusiads (Bilingue)

OS LUSÍADAS: THE LUSIADS brings together Luís Vaz de Camões' epic poem with the 1880 translation by Sir Richard Francis Burton, considered one of the greatest British scholars and translators of all time. More than a literary work, it could be called a work of art, such was the author's commitment to maintaining this formal regularity. Considered the greatest epic poem in the Portuguese language, it was published in 1572 with the support of King Sebastian.

The poem narrates the perilous sea voyages and the discovery of new lands, peoples, and cultures, extolling the heroism of the Portuguese people, who, navigators, adventurers, gentlemen, and lovers, are also fearless and brave, and face unknown seas in pursuit of their goals. It is the quintessential Portuguese epic, the reference or the book-summary of Portugal's history and uniqueness in the world.

It is a synthesis of the history of Portugal, while also narrating Vasco da Gama's discovery of the sea route to the East. In addition to narrating the journey to the Discovery of the Indies, the epic is inspired by works such as Virgil's "Aeneid" and Homer's "Odyssey." The navigators are overseen by the Olympian gods, who decide their fate after a council: The Portuguese find in Venus a precious ally and in Bacchus, their most fierce enemy, who fears that Portuguese audacity will conquer the lands of India, previously dedicated to him and under the control of the god. Camões describes the great voyages, the Portuguese empire in the East, the kings and heroes of Portugal, among other facts that make it a historical and encyclopedic poem.

In its Epilogue, it presents a lament that, when confronted with the harsh reality of the Portuguese kingdom during the time of King Sebastian, no longer manages to inspire. new glories and achievements in the future and resents that his "hoarse voice" is not listened to more carefully. Sir Richard Francis Burton, at once a brilliant linguist and reckless adventurer, as well as a complex and controversial figure, translated other works, including the "Kama Sutra" (1883) and "A Thousand and One Nights" (1885), the translation of which caused a frenzy among the Victorians due to a series of controversial remarks. His erudite "Final Essay," in which he presents the history, manners and customs, principles and religion of various peoples, also helped to broaden the Western view of the East, in addition to relating it to other cultures.