Lazarillo de Tormes

The Blind Man

Lazarillo serves as the blind man's guide and pupil, enduring cruel tricks and learning cunning survival skills from his master.

The Priest

Lazarillo works as the priest's servant, but the priest starves him and hoards food, creating a relationship of exploitation and resentment.

The Squire

Lazarillo serves the impoverished squire, who appears noble but is actually destitute, and they share a bond of mutual need and pity.

The Archpriest's Maid

Lazarillo marries the Archpriest's maid, but their relationship is complicated by rumors of infidelity and the Archpriest's influence.

Íñigo López de Mendoza

Íñigo and Lazarillo are acquaintances, with Íñigo occasionally offering patronage or advice to Lazarillo in his rise.

Doña Eleanor Hurtado

Doña Eleanor and Lazarillo are acquaintances, with her occasionally showing kindness or indifference to his plight.

Cervantes

Cervantes, as a writer, engages with Lazarillo as a literary character, reflecting on his story and social commentary.

Diego Hurtado de Mendoza

Diego and Lazarillo are acquaintances, with Diego occasionally observing or commenting on Lazarillo's rise in society.

The Blind Man

Lazarillo serves as the blind man's guide and pupil, enduring cruel tricks and learning cunning survival skills from his master.

The Priest

Lazarillo works as the priest's servant, but the priest starves him and hoards food, creating a relationship of exploitation and resentment.

The Squire

Lazarillo serves the impoverished squire, who appears noble but is actually destitute, and they share a bond of mutual need and pity.

Introductory

Protagonist and narrator, introduces his birth and early life.

The Book, Lazarillo de Tormes

The protagonist of the work, whose story is the subject of the book discussed.

Notes on the Character of Lazaro

The protagonist, portrayed as a boy of good disposition and fine instincts, whose bad qualities are due to his lowly birth and vicious surroundings. His resourcefulness and ingenuity are highlighted, as well as his kindness and tact with the penniless esquire.

The Life of Lazarillo de Tormes

The protagonist and narrator, born in the River Tormes, who recounts his life of hardship and service.

Prologue

The narrator and protagonist, who introduces his life story as a remarkable tale worth telling.

I: Lazaro Relates the Way of His Birth and Tells Whose Son He Is

Narrator and protagonist; recounts his birth and early childhood.

First Master

Begins service with the blind man, learns cunning, and eventually escapes.

Second Master

Lazaro takes service with a miserly clergyman and uses his wits to survive starvation, stealing bread from the priest's locked chest. He is eventually discovered and beaten.

Third Master

Lazaro takes service with a new master, the esquire, and becomes the provider for both, begging for food and sharing his meager earnings.

Fourth Master

Lazaro seeks and takes service with his fourth master, a friar, but leaves due to the excessive walking and other unmentioned grievances.

Fifth Master

Narrator and servant to the seller of indulgences; observes the trick and reflects on the deceit.

Sixth Master

Lazaro takes service with a painter and then a chaplain, learning to carry water and eventually saving enough to dress respectably.

Seventh Master

Narrator; leaves constable's service, gains government post, marries, and defends wife's honor.

Sketch Map of the Route from Salamanca to Toledo

The protagonist whose journey from Salamanca to Toledo is the subject of the map.

Endnotes

Referenced in notes about his age and the Gelves expedition.