Lazarillo de Tormes: A Journey of Masters

Posted on Oct 12, 2024 in English

Synopsis

This narrative follows Lazarillo’s life as he serves various masters, each with distinct personalities and flaws. His experiences expose the hypocrisy and social injustices of his time.

Key Characters and their Influence on Lazarillo

The Blind Man

Lazarillo’s first master, cunning and miserly, teaches him the art of survival through trickery. However, the blind man’s cruelty nearly starves Lazarillo, forcing him to steal.

The Cleric

Naive and gullible, the cleric believes Lazarillo’s lies while barely feeding him. Lazarillo continues his deceitful ways, stealing food from the locked chest.

The Squire

This master embodies deceptive appearances, concealing his poverty while maintaining a proud facade. Lazarillo learns about hidden hunger and social pretenses.

The Monk

A restless wanderer, the monk’s influence on Lazarillo remains undisclosed.

The Pardoner

This deceitful character profits from religious deception, teaching Lazarillo the dark side of faith and exploitation.

The Chaplain

Providing Lazarillo with honest work, the chaplain represents a positive influence, offering a glimpse into a more respectable life.

The Dean of San Salvador

This master introduces Lazarillo to domestic life and marriage. Despite rumors of infidelity, Lazarillo defends his wife and finds a measure of stability.

Lazarillo’s Progression

1. Treaty 1: Lazarillo’s father dies, and his mother entrusts him to a blind man. Lazarillo endures hunger and abuse, learning to deceive to survive.
2. Treaty 2: Serving a miserly cleric, Lazarillo continues his thievery, stealing food from a locked chest.
3. Treaty 3: Lazarillo encounters a squire who hides his poverty. He learns about appearances and social deception.
4. Treaty 4: Lazarillo briefly serves a restless monk.
5. Treaty 5: A deceitful pardoner teaches Lazarillo about religious exploitation.
6. Treaty 6: Lazarillo finds honest work with a chaplain.
7. Treaty 7: Lazarillo settles down with the Dean of San Salvador, marries his maid, and achieves a degree of prosperity.