The Life of Lazarillo de Tormes · Chapters
Chapters explained
Chapter companions for The Life of Lazarillo de Tormes by Anonymous.
Chapter 1
Introductory
The introductory section of 'The Life of Lazarillo de Tormes and His Fortunes and Adversities' sets the stage for the picaresque narrative, presenting the protagonist's humble origins and the series of masters he will serve. It establishes the tone of social critique and survival, as Lazarillo recounts his birth in the River Tormes, his father's death, and his mother's subsequent relationship with a Moorish groom, leading to his apprenticeship with a blind beggar. This opening frames the novel's exploration of poverty, ingenuity, and the corrupting influence of society.
Chapter 2
The Family of Mendoza
This chapter provides a detailed genealogical account of the Mendoza family, one of the noblest houses in Spain, tracing its lineage from the 12th century through the 15th century. It highlights key figures such as Don Diego Lopez, the Marquis of Santillana, and the Counts of Tendilla, and notes their military, political, and literary achievements. The chapter also mentions the family's connections to the Spanish monarchy and its role in significant historical events, setting the stage for the author of Lazarillo de Tormes.
Chapter 3
Don Diego Hurtado de Mendoza, Author of Lazarillo de Tormes
This chapter provides a biographical sketch of Don Diego Hurtado de Mendoza, the presumed author of Lazarillo de Tormes. It details his noble birth in Granada, his education at Salamanca where he wrote the novel, his distinguished career as a soldier, diplomat, and scholar serving Charles V, and his later years in retirement, where he composed poetry and the historical work 'Guerra de Granada.' The chapter emphasizes his intellectual achievements, his library, and his legacy.
Chapter 4
The Book, Lazarillo de Tormes
This chapter discusses the publication history, translations, and critical reception of the Spanish classic 'Lazarillo de Tormes.' It highlights its satirical nature, its censorship by the Inquisition, the rarity of the first edition, and the various English translations, including the first by David Rowlands in 1586. The chapter also mentions spurious second parts by other authors, which are dismissed as inferior.
Chapter 5
English Translations
This chapter discusses the English translations of Lazarillo de Tormes, beginning with David Rowlands' 1586 translation, published by Abel Jeffes, which became highly popular. Subsequent editions and reprints followed, with varying quality, including a 1653 edition by James Blakiston and a notably poor 1789 edition that mangled Spanish names.
Chapter 6
Notes on the Character of Lazaro
This chapter provides a critical analysis of the character of Lazaro, the protagonist of the picaresque novel. It discusses his origins, his resourcefulness in the face of poverty, his moral development through various masters, and his eventual rise to prosperity. The author, Don Diego Hurtado de Mendoza, is credited with creating a boy hero who, despite his lowly birth and vicious surroundings, displays natural good disposition and fine instincts. The chapter also examines the satirical elements of the work, particularly the story of the seller of Indulgences, and defends Lazaro's marriage against critics who suggest his wife was the archpriest's mistress.
Chapter 7
The Life of Lazarillo de Tormes
This chapter introduces the picaresque novel 'The Life of Lazarillo de Tormes,' detailing the protagonist's birth in the River Tormes, his father's death, his mother's relationship with a Moorish groom, and his subsequent service under a series of masters, beginning with a blind man. The narrative follows Lazaro's cunning and survival as he navigates poverty, hunger, and exploitation, ultimately achieving a measure of prosperity through marriage.
Chapter 8
Prologue
In the prologue, the author justifies writing his story, arguing that even humble lives contain valuable lessons. He cites classical authorities like Pliny and Cicero to support the pursuit of honor through writing and deeds. He addresses a noble patron, acknowledging his own lowly origins and expressing hope that his tale will be well received, while hinting at the social critique to come.
Chapter 9
I: Lazaro Relates the Way of His Birth and Tells Whose Son He Is
Lazaro introduces himself, explaining his birth in the River Tormes and his parentage. His father, a miller, is accused of theft and banished, dying in a military expedition. His mother then takes up with a Moorish groom named Zayde, who provides for the family but is later caught stealing. After punishment, his mother works at an inn, and Lazaro begins serving guests.
Chapter 10
First Master
Lazaro leaves his mother to serve a blind man, who teaches him cunning and survival but treats him cruelly. Lazaro tricks the blind man multiple times, culminating in a violent escape.
Chapter 11
Second Master
Lazaro, fleeing Torrijos, takes service with a miserly clergyman in Maqueda. The priest is even more avaricious than the blind man, starving Lazaro while hoarding food in a locked chest. Lazaro's ingenuity leads him to steal bread by picking the lock, first with a key and then with an old knife, creating holes in the chest that he blames on rats. The priest, believing a snake is responsible, sets traps and eventually attacks what he thinks is the snake in Lazaro's straw bed, striking Lazaro on the head. The priest discovers the key in Lazaro's mouth, realizes the truth, and Lazaro is left senseless and bleeding.
Chapter 12
Third Master
Lazaro, now recovered from his wounds, takes service with a seemingly respectable esquire in Toledo. The esquire, however, is revealed to be penniless and proud, unable to provide for himself or his servant. Lazaro must beg to support both of them, while the esquire maintains a facade of honor and dignity. Despite the hardship, Lazaro feels pity rather than hatred for his master, recognizing his genuine poverty.
Chapter 13
Fourth Master
Lazaro takes service with his fourth master, a friar of the Order of Mercy. The friar is described as an enemy of the choir and convent meals, preferring to walk about and engage in secular business. He gives Lazaro his first pair of shoes, which burst within eight days due to the constant walking. Unable to endure the trotting about and other unmentioned things, Lazaro leaves the friar's service.
Chapter 14
Fifth Master
Lazaro takes service with a seller of Papal Indulgences, a shameless and cunning man. When the villagers refuse to buy indulgences, the seller stages a fake quarrel with a constable, who publicly denounces the indulgences as false. The seller then pretends to pray for a miracle, the constable collapses in a feigned fit, and after a dramatic 'recovery,' the villagers are convinced and buy indulgences in droves. Lazaro, though initially fooled, later learns the trick and reflects on the deceitfulness of such rogues.
Chapter 15
Sixth Master
Lazaro takes service with a painter of tumbrels, grinding colors and suffering many hardships. As he grows older, he becomes a servant to a chaplain, who gives him a donkey, jars, and a whip to carry water for the city. This marks his first step toward a decent life, as he earns thirty maravedis daily for his master and keeps the excess on Saturdays. Over four years, he saves enough to dress respectably and eventually leaves the chaplain's service to seek a better occupation.
Chapter 16
Seventh Master
Lazaro takes service with a constable but leaves after a dangerous encounter. He then obtains a government appointment as a wine inspector and crier, marries the Archpriest's maid, and achieves prosperity. He defends his wife's honor against gossip, with the Archpriest's support, and reflects on his good fortune during the Emperor's visit to Toledo.
Chapter 17
Sketch Map of the Route from Salamanca to Toledo
This chapter presents a sketch map illustrating the geographic route from Salamanca to Toledo, the setting for the picaresque journey of Lazarillo de Tormes. The map visually traces the path of his wanderings and misadventures through various towns and landscapes, providing a spatial context for the novel's episodic structure.
Chapter 18
Endnotes
The endnotes provide historical, geographical, and textual annotations to the novel, clarifying references, locations, and the historical context of events and characters mentioned in the narrative.
Chapter 19
List of Illustrations
This chapter is a list of illustrations, specifically describing a map titled 'Sketch Map of the Route from Salamanca to Toledo.' The map highlights a route in southern Spain, passing through various towns and villages.
