The Life of Lazarillo de Tormes · Chapter
Third Master explained
Lazaro, now recovered from his wounds, takes service with a seemingly respectable esquire in Toledo.
What happens
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.
Themes in this chapter
Poverty and Hunger
The chapter vividly depicts the extreme poverty of both Lazaro and the esquire, with hunger as a constant companion and the struggle to find food.
Honor and Appearance
The esquire's obsession with maintaining a respectable appearance despite his destitution highlights the theme of honor versus reality.
Survival and Ingenuity
Lazaro's resourcefulness in begging and sharing food to survive, and his clever handling of the esquire's pride, demonstrates his ingenuity.
Characters to notice
- Lazarillo de Tormes
Lazaro takes service with a new master, the esquire, and becomes the provider for both, begging for food and sharing his meager earnings.
- The Squire
The esquire appears well-dressed but is actually penniless and proud, relying on Lazaro's begging to survive while maintaining a facade of respectability.
Key passages
“Thus I was obliged to seek strength out of weakness, and little by little, with the help of kind people, I reached this famous city of Toledo.”
I had to find strength in my weakness, and with the help of kind people, I eventually arrived in Toledo.
Lazaro's resilience after his injury.
“He then said, 'Boy! are you seeking for a master?' I replied, 'Yes, sir!' 'Then come along behind me,' he said, 'for God has shown mercy to you by letting you meet with me.'”
The esquire asked if I was looking for a master, and when I said yes, he told me to follow him, claiming that God had been merciful to me by letting me meet him.
The esquire's initial appearance of generosity.
“It was so dark and dismal that it might cause fear to anyone coming in.”
The house was so dark and gloomy that it would scare anyone who entered.
The contrast between the esquire's appearance and his living conditions.
“I mourned over my troubles, and remembered what I once thought, when I was meditating on leaving the priest, that ill-fortune might bring me to something worse.”
I grieved over my misfortunes and recalled that when I left the priest, I feared things could get even worse.
Lazaro's realization that his situation has not improved.
“I often reflected on my misfortune that, escaping from the evil masters I had served, and seeking to better myself, I should have found one who not only did not maintain me, but whom I had to support.”
I often thought about my bad luck: I escaped from my evil masters to improve my situation, only to find a master who couldn't support me and whom I had to support instead.
Lazaro's ironic twist of fate.