The Lusiads by Luís Vaz de Camões is one of the most important and most representative literary works ever written in Portuguese. 

If English is the language of Shakespeare, French the language of Molière and Italian the language of Dante, Portuguese is the language of Camões. More than thousand verses compose what literary critics call “the Portuguese Iliad”. What makes this epic poem so special? 

Haven’t read Camões yet? Let’s discover his masterpiece together.

16th century Portuguese poet Camões was in exile in Macau, China, when he first wrote his Lusiads. The poem in ottava rima celebrates Vasco de Gama’s extraordinary voyages, as well as the glorious accomplishments by Portuguese navigators. 

Historical context

The epic heroes are the Lusiads, the sons of Lusus (mythological ancestor of Portuguese people). Besides the Portuguese national symbols and historical figures, such as the viceroy Dom João de Castro, the author mentions Roman mythology, like the Fates (mythological female personifications of destiny) and Bacchus (roman god of the grape-harvest).

The hero of this epic is the whole Portuguese nation, which proves once again Camões’ strong patriotic inspiration.

Did you know?

Camões was the first major European poet to cross the equator. Little did he know that his contact with the Indian culture in Goa would inspire him to write what is today one of the greatest literary works of world literature.

Portuguese renaissance literature is closely linked to ancient Greek and Roman history, as Lusiads’ heroes are often helped by Roman mythological creatures and gods. Other than Portuguese popular discoveries, this classic writer praises the small nation’s victory against the Castillians and the Moors.

The epic starts with a dedication to Homer and Virgil and a tribute to the Portuguese young king Sebastião. Singing the glory of the Portuguese people becomes evident when Venus, the Roman goddess of love, takes a side with the Portuguese, opposed to Bacchus. Greek muses and Catholic elements are equally represented in the poem and European and Indian cultures cross throughout the epic story. 

Why should you read an epic poem written more than five hundred years ago?

Because classic literature never disappointed anyone, because ancient mythology and history never stopped being a part of our world cultural heritage and finally, because you’ll never read anything more epic, historical and yet so modern at the same time. The name Camões is one of those names which summarize the soul, civilization, culture and literature of Portugal: such as Homer of Greece, Dante of Italy or Shakespeare of England.
He is undoubtedly the father of the Portuguese modern language who opened the door for the creation of modern Portuguese literature, inspiring Portuguese speaking writers all over the world. 

Did you know?

The National day of Portugal is celebrated annually on 10 June, the date of Camões’ death in 1580. 

Conclusion

The Lusiads is above all the image of the century of great inventions and great discoveries, depicting the Portuguese thirst for knowledge and curiosity for the new winds and tides.

This is why one of the most epic poems of all times doesn’t only belong to one people, but to all humankind. Ultimately, the Lusiads will certainly make you reread The Iliad, The Odyssey and the Aeneid.  

“Que as Ninfas do Oceano, tão fermosas,

Tétis e a Ilha angélica pintada,

Outra cousa não é que as deleitosas

Honras que a vida fazem sublimada“

“That the Nymphs of the Ocean, so beautiful,

Tethys and the angelic painted Island,

Are none other than the delightful

Honours that render life sublime“

• Strophe 89, The Lusiads