Gracian, Portugal and the Restoration

Baltasar Gracian published his works between 1637 and 1657, when Spanish Habsburg Monarchy was fighting against foreign and inner enemies in order to survive. Critics have often discussed his attitude about Catalan war, but they have hardly ever examined his position about Portuguese conflict. Some scholars have noticed that, whereas he often referred to Portuguese people, history and culture, he never mentioned Portuguese rebellion in his works. This paper deals with the link between both facts. First, I will consider some political images in Gracian's ethical essays. Second, I will study the presence of Portuguese culture in his aesthetical treatise. Third, I will analyse the statements about Portuguese people in El criticon. Fourth, I will examine the part Portugal takes in El criticon's narrative structure. Last, I will conclude by proposing a hypothesis to explain Gracidn's litterary attitude regarding Portugal Restauration movement.