THELanguageofBaroque is provocative and rebellious. It portrays man's restlessness, non-conformity and his conflict of body and soul, of reason and faith (dualism and contradiction).
This is all due to the historical context in which it belongs, especially to the Renaissance and Counter-Reformation.
Figures of speech are particularly explored in the Baroque literary school, which predominated in the 17th century.
The Baroque Motto
The Baroque's motto is precisely the antithesis of "life and death" and, by extension, the brevity of its existence.
Thus, during this period, man questions faith at the expense of life's pleasures, as well as questions about instability and inconstancy.
The premise of carpdiem - Latin expression whose literal meaning is "to enjoy the day" - is widely used in this period. It means that every moment of life must be enjoyed.
Baroque Trends
The two trends that predominated in this literary movement were:
- Cultism - It's called "word play". The formalism and the elaborate vocabulary are present in it, as well as the frequent use of figures of speech.
- conceptism - It's called the "idea game". In it, reasoning and logical thinking are present.
Learn more about Cultism and Conceptism.
Figures of Language
Among the resources most used by the authors of Baroque, the following stand out speech figures:
It was the most used feature in Baroque through the use of opposite concepts.
Example:
“of your high mercy stripped me;
If one sin is enough to anger you”
(Gregory of Matos)
present antithesis: mercy x wrath
Use of contradictory or absurd expressions.
Example:
“I have sinned, Lord, but not because I have sin”
(Gregory of Matos)
Use of exaggerated expressions.
Example:
“The falls of heaven finally broke”
(Father Antônio Vieira)
Hyperbole present: sky falls.
Use of similar words or expressions.
Example:
“I am, Lord, the stray sheep”
(Gregory of Matos)
present metaphor: stray sheep = sinner
Break in the logical order of the sentence.
Example:
“The Delphic sisters call I don't want”
(Bento Teixeira)
the poetry of Gregory of Matos (1633-1695) was the main expression of Baroque in Brazil. He became known as “Mouth of Hell” due to his satirical way of expressing himself critically and without fear.
To better understand the language of cultism and the content used by it, check out an example below:
sad Bahia
Sad Bahia! Oh how dissimilar
You are and I am from our old state!
Poor I see you, you committed to me,
I've seen you rich, you abundant me.
You exchanged the merchant machine,
That in your broad bar has entered,
It changed me, and it has changed,
So much business and so much dealer.
Have you given so much excellent sugar
For useless drugs, how nosy
Simple accepted by the shrewd Brichote.
Oh if God willing that suddenly
One day you would dawn so earnest
Make your coat out of cotton!
Father Antônio Vieira (1608-1697) was a great orator and the main writer of Portuguese baroque.
Below is an excerpt from the "Sermon for the Good Success of Portugal's Arms Against Holland's" in conceptist style:
“This is, Almighty and All-Merciful God, this is the moth that used to render your pity, who so conformed to your heart. And I will also use this one today, because the state in which we find ourselves is more the same than similar. I will not preach to the people today, I will not speak to men; My words or my voices will come out louder: to your divine bosom the whole sermon will be addressed. This is the last of fifteen continuous days, in which all the churches of this Metropolis, to that same throne of your rank Majesty, have represented their deprecations; and, therefore, the day is the last, it is only fair that the last and only remedy be used so well in it. All these days the evangelical speakers got tired in vain in preaching penance to the 3 men; and therefore they were not converted, I want, Lord, to convert you. So presumptuous I come of your mercy, my God, that though we are the sinners, you shall be the repentant.”
Read more about this movement:
- Baroque
- Baroque style
- Baroque Poetry
- Baroque art
- Baroque Characteristics
- Sermon of the Sixtieth by Father Antônio Vieira
- Exercises on Baroque
