A wise pícaro in a book of chivalry: Cíngar and the physiognomic and astrological knowledge during the Renaissance

Authors

  • Folke Gernert Universität Trier

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.13136/2284-2667/1

Keywords:

Baldus and Baldo, literature and science, Renaissance occultism, physiognomy, astrology.

Abstract

This paper focuses on the textualisation of occult sciences in El cuarto libro del esforzado caballero Reinaldos de Montalbán que trata de los grandes hechos del invencible caballero Baldo y de las graciosas burlas de Cíngar, published in 1542. After a historical examination of these practices within the Renaissance scientific system, selected parts of the work are compared with its hypotext, the Baldus by Folengo, and with the manuals within the author’s reach. While the Benedictine monk incorporates these theories in his ludic universe, the author of the Baldo re-establishes the seriousness of parodied knowledge, showing off his familiarity with scientific discourse.

 

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Published

2013-12-01