O Barca do Inferno report or Notice of Morality is a work of drama that was written in 1517 by the Portuguese humanist writer Gil Vicente.
This play is one of the most emblematic of the playwright, considered the “father of Portuguese theatre”.
It was staged in 1531 and is part of the Trilogy of Barcas, alongside the Purgatory's Barca Report it's the Barca da Glória report.
Remember that “auto” is a genre that emerged in the Middle Ages. They are short texts with a comic theme and generally formed by a single act.
Read too:
- Dramatic Genre
- Theatrical Text
- theatrical language
Summary and Analysis of the Work
Through the presence of two boatmen, the Angel and the Devil, they receive the souls of passengers who pass to the other world.
The scene takes place in a harbor and therefore, one of the boats goes to heaven, and the other to hell.
Most characters go to the ferry from hell. During their lives they did not follow God's way, they were cheaters, greedy, self-interested and committed various sins.
On the other hand, those who followed God's precepts and lived simply go to God's boat. They are: Joane, the fool, and the four knights.
O Barca do Inferno report is a great classic of Portuguese literature. He has several satires involving morality.
Due to the fate of the souls of some characters, the work satirizes the final judgment of Catholicism, as well as the Portuguese society of the 16th century
The doomsday allegory is a resource used by the playwright through his characters (devil and angel).
In addition, each character has a symbology associated with falsehood, ambition, corruption, avarice, lying, hypocrisy, etc.
Check the entire work by downloading the PDF here: Barca do Inferno report.
Characters and their Sins
- Devil: captain of the ferry from Hell.
- Angel: captain of the ship of Heaven.
- nobleman: tyrant and representative of the nobility. He has had a life of luxury and is going to hell.
- eleventh: greedy man, moneylender and usurer. For having been such a miser in life he goes to hell.
- Joan the fool: innocent character who had a simple life. So he goes to heaven.
- shoemaker: hardworking man, but who stole and deceived his customers. So he goes to hell.
- Friar: representative of the Church, who goes to hell. That's because he had a mistress, Florence, and he didn't follow the principles of Catholicism.
- Brigid Vaz: pimp convicted of witchcraft and prostitution who goes to hell.
- Jewish: character that was rejected by the Devil and the Angel for not being adept at Christianity. Finally, he goes to hell.
- Inspector and Attorney: representatives of the law. Both go to hell, as they were accused of being manipulative and using the laws and justice for personal good and interests.
- Knights: group of four men who struggled to spread Christianity in life and therefore are absolved of their sins and go to heaven.
Excerpts from the Work
To better understand the language used by the writer, check out some excerpts from the work below:
Section 1
“DEVIL To the ferry, to the ferry, houlá!
that we have gentle tide!
- Come on the car in reverse!
COMPANION Done, done!
Well this!
You go muitieramá,
and tighten that stool
and dump that bank,
wait for us to come.”
Section 2
“FRIAR Tai-rai-rai-ra-rã; ta-ri-ri-frog;
ta-rai-rai-rai-rã; tai-ri-ri-frog:
so-so; ta-ri-kidney-kidney-frog. Huha!
DEVIL What is this, Father?! Who goes there?
FRADE Deo gratias! Courtier sound.
DEVIL Do you know the torrid too?
FRIAR Why not? How do I know!
DEVIL Come in! I will touch
and we will have an evening.
Is this lady yours?
FRIAR I have it on my own,
and I always had it from mine,
DEVIL You did well, that's sweet!
And they didn't put you there thick
in your holy convent?
FRIAR And they do as much!
DEVIL What a precious thing...”
Section 3
“ANGEL O knights of God,
I'm waiting for you,
who died fighting
through Christ, Lord of Heaven!
You are free from all evil,
martyrs of the Holy Church,
that whoever dies in such a battle
deserve eternal peace.”
Entrance Exam Exercises with Feedback
1. (PUC) Considering the part Barca do Inferno report as a whole, indicate the alternative that best fits the Vincentian theater proposal.
a) attached to Christian values, Gil Vicente aims to reach man's conscience, reminding him that he has a soul to save.
b) the figures of the Angel and the Devil, despite being allegorical, do not establish the Manichean division of the world between Good and Evil.
c) the characters appear in this play by Gil Vicente with the profile they presented on earth, but only Onzeneiro and Parvo carry the instruments of their guilt.
d) Gil Vicente draws a critical picture of Portuguese society at the time, but spares, for ideological and political reasons, the Church and the Nobility.
e) among the characteristics of Gil Vicente's dramaturgy, the fact that he rigorously followed the norms of classical theater stands out.
Alternative to: attached to Christian values, Gil Vicente aims to reach man's conscience, reminding him that he has a soul to save.
2. (Fuvest-SP) Indicate the correct statement about the Barca do Inferno report, by Gil Vicente:
a) the structure of his scenes is intricate, which surprises the audience with the unexpectedness of each situation.
b) Vincentian moralism locates vices, not in institutions, but in individuals who make them vicious.
c) the criticism of the customs of the time is complex, as the author first relativized the distinction between Good and Evil.
d) the emphasis of this satire is on the most ridiculed and most severely punished popular characters.
e) satire is here demolishing and indiscriminate, not referring to any example of positive value.
Alternative b: Vincentian moralism locates vices, not in institutions, but in the individuals who make them vicious.
3. (Fuvest-SP) Devil, Devil's Companion, Angel, Nobleman, Onzeneiro, Parvo, Shoemaker, Friar, Florence, Brígida Vaz, Jew, Corregidor, Procurator, Hanged and Four Knights are characters from Gil's Auto da Barca do Inferno. Vincent.
Review the information below and select the incorrect alternative whose characteristics do not adequately describe the character.
a) The Onzeneiro idolizes money, is a usurer and usurer; of everything he had gathered, nothing leads to death, or rather, takes the empty purse.
b) The Friar represents the decaying clergy and is overwhelmed by their weaknesses: woman and sport; takes the mistress and the swords weapons.
c) The Devil, captain of the barge of hell, is the one who speeds up the embarkation of the condemned; he is underhanded and ironic.
d) The Angel, captain of the boat of heaven, is the one who praises death by faith; he is austere and unyielding.
e) The Corregidor represents justice and fights for the full and exact application of the laws; takes roles and processes.
Alternative e: The Corregidor represents justice and fights for the integral and exact application of the laws; takes roles and processes.
read more:
- Gil Vicente
- Humanism
- Vincentian Theater
- The Language of Humanism
There is more information on the topic in this video: