Herberto Helder is a poet who falls within the broad context of universal poetic culture. His poetic universe is autonomous and has its own characteristics.
Considered as one of the most important experimental or concrete poet, he is also known as a visionary poet, holding a special place in the Portuguese surrealist poetry. It can be thus be seen that the work of Herberto elder is complex and undoubtedly one of the highest expressions of contemporary Portuguese poetry.
WithHerbertoHelderthe
readerwon’t expecta worldcompletely built.Instead, he
will findaworld
witha different shape, a shape that is dictated byissuesof
rhythm, of words with isolated meaning.It is thereforereliving, and no longerreproducing, which
moves HerbertoHelder.
HerbertoHelder, person and poet, appears asamystical
figurewithin thehistory ofPortuguese poetry, completelywithdrawingfrom any circuit ofvisibility.
Historical period in literature: Contemporary literature, Surrealism period
Historical period in literature: Contemporary literature, Neo-Realism period
Also author ofchildren's books
Originallyintended forher five children, quickly becamea classicof children's literature, influencingsuccessivegenerations ofyoung readers withtitles such as O Rapaz de Bronze,orA Fada Oriana, or A Menina do Mar.
Poemas de Deus e do Diabo (1925; category: Poetry)
Jogo da Cabra Cega (1934; category: Fiction)
As Encruzilhadas de Deus (1936; category: Poetry)
Jacob e o Anjo (1940; category: Theatre)
Fado (1941; category: Poetry)
O Príncipe com Orelhas de Burro (1942; category: Fiction)
Mas Deus é Grande (1945; category: Poetry)
Benilde e a Virgem Mãe (1947; category: Theatre)
El-Rei Sebastião (1949; category: Theatre)
A Salvação do Mundo (1954; category: Theatre)
A Chaga do Lado (1954; category: Poetry)
Há Mais Mundos (1962; category: Fiction)
Historical period in literature: Modern literature, Modernism period
A lucid mind to his time
As a writer, José Régio was devoted to romance, theater, poetry and essay. Central
in his work are the issues of conflict between God and Man, the individual and
society. Carrying out a constant self-contained analysis and insight, his work is
strongly marked by the psychologist tone and, simultaneously, by a mysticism which
is shown in restless reasons as angelism or redemption in suffering.
His poetry of great lyrical and dramatic tension, often presents itself as
a kind of dialogue between different levels of consciousness. The same psychological
intensity, combined with a sense of social criticism, takes place in fiction.
Benilde ou a Virgem Mãe adapted into movie in 1975
Director: Manoel de Oliveira Cast: Glória de Matos, Jacinto Ramos, Maria Barroso
Poster of the movie
Casa Museu José Régio in Vila do Conde
This is nota museumarrangedas such.It is the homewhere José Régioexposed some of themany pieces gatheredoverhis life.
If it is still notorious the symbolist heritage, Fernando Pessoa went further, not only about the creation of new literary and artistic endeavors, but also with regard to the effort of theory and literary criticism. He is an universal poet, giving to his reader a vision unit and simultaneously multiple of Life. It is precisely this attempt to look the world in a multiple form (with a strong substratum of rationalist philosophy and even oriental influence) which lies a plausible explanation for having created the famous heteronyms: Alberto Caeiro, Álvaro de Campos and Ricardo Reis.
Main masterpieces:
Mensagem
Chuva Oblíqua
O Menino de sua Mãe
Liberdade
Autopsicografia
The heteronymy in Pessoa
Alberto Caeiro
Considered by Fernando Pessoa as the Master of heteronyms and himself, Caeiro expresses and represents the vision distinctly non-human, primitive and "pure" of Nature and even of Man. Without emotion (of subjectivity) and anulled the whole culture (the Reason) that Man has been creating, this heteronym makes from the pure sensation and objectivism (absolute) the "ideas" of existence and his writing. His words, intentionally without rhetoric-stylistic artifices seek to be the unspotted mirror of that naively wise "science of seeing".
As the Masterhas nometaphysical or social concerns(as withPessoaand Álvaro deCampos), is the only heteronym who knows theTruthof things–because he doesn't think of them.
But it isprecisely becausethe truthis not transmissible that the drama ofPessoa-Campos becomes understandable.
Main masterpieces: O Guardaor de Rebanhos; O Pastor Amoroso; Poemas Inconjuntos
Álvaro de Campos
He isthe opposite of Caeiro by the ontological drama that expressed, by thegreaterinvolvementinModernism andby expressinganevolutionarytrajectoryofhis poetic work.
Pessoagave thisfamousheteronymsome biographical dataof interest: was born in Tavirain 1890, graduated inmarine engineeringbyGlasgow,and livedin Lisboninactive. It is usual tosee threephasesin the evolution of Campos writing: first, the decadent, is theclosest toourfin-de-sièclepoetry; the second, the modernist, corresponds to the avant-garde experience started withOrpheu; and the third is thenegativistic,in which points out theanguish. It is, therefore, the heteronym thathas more multiplied on the pursuitof Truthandthe Absolute.
Main masterpieces: Tabacaria; Lisbon Revisited; Poema em Linha Reta; Ode Triunfal; Ode Marítima; Quasi; Manisfesto de Álvaro de Campos
Ricardo Reis
Education in aJesuitcollege, training in medicine, expatriation in Brazilfor beingmonarchical, latinistand hellenist, here are the essentialbiographical datathat Fernando Pessoaleft usabout thisheteronym. His poetry(his odes) reveals apoet whocontinuesthe "drama"lived by Pessoa. This imitation/ recreationof antiquityisa illusory "response", but poeticallyeffective,to the quiet assumptionof the human condition.
That is whyDestiny, Death, Glory,Love andfugacityof Timeare justmarksindicating thefutility ofall.Epicureanismand Stoicismare thesubstrateof itsphilosophicalpoetry.
Main masterpieces: Vem Sentar-te Comigo Lídia; Segue o teu Destino; Para ser Grande, sê Inteiro
Historical period in literature: Modern literature, Modernism period
Simple but brilliant initiatives to spread a Frame of Portugal
The fado singer Ana Moura gives voice to Fernando Pessoa: from
Chiado, Lisbon to Chinatown, Soho and Downtown New York City.
Song: "Fado de Pessoa"
Featuring: Ana Moura
Lyrics by: João Pedro Pais
Micro-film produced on February 24th, 2007
The Brazilian singer Maria Bethânia declaims "O Poema do Menino Jesus" and sings "O doce mistério da vida".
Poem: "Poema do Menino Jesus" (Alberto Caeiro)
Song: "O doce mistério da vida"
Featuring: Maria Bethânia
Other curiosities
Casa Fernando Pessoa in Lisbon
Inauguratedin November 1993, Casa FernandoPessoawas designed to honorhis memory. The Casa FernandoPessoa isamultipurposesmall universethat can be visited by anyone without any costs.
A Brasileiraisaniconiccoffee, founded onNovember 19, 1905, locatedat Largo doChiado, in Lisbon. It has been the scene ofmanyintellectual, artisticand literary gatherings.
Thespecial attendanceof Fernando Pessoaled tothe inaugurationin the 80s of a statue made of bronze that representsthe writersitting at a tableat the terrace cafe.Here you havethe opportunity to bein a coffeefull of culture. Come visit and enjoy the experience.
