Entre a “muda poesia” e a “pintura que fala”: o contributo de Camões para a afirmação da linguagem emblemática em Portugal

Abstract

Taking the symbolic representation displayed on the medieval military insignias into account and knowing that Portuguese dynasty of Avis made use of personal devices, this study aims to show that the display of “letras” and “cimeiras” (verses and images) in the royal festivities continued that historical legacy. The Cancioneiro Geral (1516) and some contemporaneous chronicles provide evidence of that practice, which can be related with the heraldic systematization led by Lusitanian monarchs in the 16th century. Besides, it will be discussed whether or not Camões was acquainted with the emblematic language, considering the way he deals with the concepts of “mute poetry” and “speaking painting” in his epic poem entitled Os Lusíadas. Additionally, this study seeks to divulge a set of devices attributed to Camões, apparently composed during his stay in Goa. Through the analysis of this material, some conclusions will be drawn on the parodic approach to emblematic gender proposed by Luís Vaz, comparing it to posterior adaptations. According to this perspective, new light will be shed on the importance of Camões’s contribution to the flourishment of emblematic gender in Portugal.