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The Life of Lazarillo de Tormes · Chapters

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Chapter companions for The Life of Lazarillo de Tormes by Anonymous.

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  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

  4. 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.

  5. 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.

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  1. Chapter 6Notes on the Character of Lazaro
  2. Chapter 7The Life of Lazarillo de Tormes
  3. Chapter 8Prologue
  4. Chapter 9I: Lazaro Relates the Way of His Birth and Tells Whose Son He Is
  5. Chapter 10First Master
  6. Chapter 11Second Master
  7. Chapter 12Third Master
  8. Chapter 13Fourth Master
  9. Chapter 14Fifth Master
  10. Chapter 15Sixth Master
  11. Chapter 16Seventh Master
  12. Chapter 17Sketch Map of the Route from Salamanca to Toledo
  13. Chapter 18Endnotes
  14. Chapter 19List of Illustrations