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The works of Persiles and Sigismunda

The works of Persiles and Sigismunda: summary

The works of Persiles and Sigismunda It is the last work of Miguel de Cervantes and was published posthumously in 1617. It is a Byzantine novel written in 4 books, which is inspired by the comedy Persiles and Sigismunda by Francisco de Rojas Zorrilla. Cervantes himself He considered it his best work, although the criticism does not put it at the level of Don Quijote of La Mancha.

In this lesson from a TEACHER, we are going to give you a summary of The works of Persiles and Sigismunda, so you can understand what this novel that Cervantes finished writing 3 days before his death is about.

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Index

  1. Summary of The Works of Persiles and Sigismunda: Book I
  2. Summary of book II of The Works of Persiles and Sigismunda
  3. Summary of The Works of Persiles and Sigismunda: Book III
  4. Summary of Book IV of The Works of Persiles and Sigismunda

Summary of The Works of Persiles and Sigismunda: Book I.

We start this one with Book I. It begins with a barbarian named Cosicurbo that keeps some individuals prisoners,

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including Cloelia. This barbarian asks Cloelia to bring him a young man and a woman. The young man, Periander, is sentenced to death, but a storm causes the shipwreck of his ship and he is rescued by another ship.

Next, Periander discovers the story of Taurisa, a woman kidnapped by Captain Arnaldo. Arnaldo wanted to marry Taurisa to the barbarians to spy, but she reveals that she loves Periandro. Periandro proposes a plan: pretend to be a woman to infiltrate and rescue Taurisa.

The barbarian king falls in love with Periander disguised as a woman. But, a barbarian named Bradamiro shows interest in Periander, which sets off a series of violent events. Cloelia intervenes to save Periander, revealing his true identity.

In Chapter 5, a Spaniard named Antonio he saves the main characters and shares the story of him. Then, Antonio recounts his marriage to Ricla and his children, Antonio, and a beautiful daughter.

In Chapters 7 and 8, Rutilio, an Italian barbarian, narrates his love story and his misadventures. Later, Rutilio arrives on a barbarian island and adopts a false identity to survive.

The story of Rosamund and Clodius, who were chained. Transila, Mauricio's daughter, tells of her escape and reunion with her family.

Chapter 15 introduces Arnold, Prince of Denmark, who joins the group. In the following chapters, events unfold on the snowy island, where they find Taurisa seriously ill.

Finally, the characters leave the snowy island on a privateer ship. The captain tells stories about King Polycarp and how Periander won a contest on his island.

In the last chapter, Auristela discovers that her brother Periandro was the winner of the contest, which causes jealousy and tension in the group. The weather worsens, suggesting future challenges for the characters.

Here we leave you the characteristics of the byzantine novel, genre in which this work by Cervantes is framed.

The Works of Persiles and Sigismunda: Summary - Summary of The Works of Persiles and Sigismunda: Book I

Summary of book II of The Works of Persiles and Sigismunda.

We follow this summary of The works of Persiles and Sigismunda with book II. This consists of several chapters that relate the adventures of Periander and his companions after his boat capsized in a storm.

Strong wind causes boat to capsize, generating panic among the occupants. The shipwreck subsequently takes Periander and King Polycarp's beautiful daughters, Polycarpa and Symphorosa, to the king's city, where they are rescued with the help of the inhabitants.

Auristela, sick, receives the attention of Sinforosa, who reveals her feelings for Periander. Meanwhile, Policarpo confesses to Sinforosa her love for Auristela and asks him to talk to her. Sinforosa complies and, at the same time, tries to bring Auristela and Periandro closer.

Guests express his desire to return to his homeland, and Symforosa sends a captain to bring Periander before her. However, a love conflict arises when Policarpo's feelings and Rutilio and Clodio's love messages to the sisters are revealed.

The narrative is complicated by Policarpo's confession to Sinforosa about his love for Auristela, and Periander decides to leave to fulfill a vow, writing a letter to his sister.

In the midst of declarations of love and sentimental confusion, Clodius dies accidentally due to an assassination attempt on Cenotia, a mysterious woman who predicts the future. Antonio is also injured, and Cenotia undoes the spells to save him.

The story develops towards the betrayal of Polycarp, instigated by Cenotia, and the escape of Periander and company. towards the island of the hermitages. There, they meet Renato and Eusebia, who offer them hospitality.

The love plots, entanglements and magical events They continue, involving Sulpicia, a woman with a thirst for revenge, and revealing the fate of Auristela, kidnapped and sold to Prince Arnold of Denmark.

Finally, return to France planned with the intervention of Sinibaldo, Renato's brother, who brings favorable news. The story is divided between those who leave for France and those who choose to go to Spain, leaving Rutilio as a hermit on the island.

The works of Persiles and Sigismunda: summary - Summary of book II of The works of Persiles and Sigismunda

Summary of The Works of Persiles and Sigismunda: Book III.

Book III of The works of Persiles and Sigismunda It narrates the adventures of the pilgrims, led by Periandro and accompanied by Auristela, on their journey through Spain and France. In Chapter 1, They arrive in Portugal, They disembark in Lisbon and are surprised by the beauty of Auristela. They meet a Portuguese man who reveals that he he freed Auristela on the island of the barbarians. Later, they head towards the temple, walk the streets and Periandro decides to have a painter capture his adventures.

Next, Pilgrims vote to head to Rome on foot due to a promise from Auristela. In Badajoz, a poet is admired by Auristela and begins to devise a play with the characters he knows. Later, in Guadalupe, they experience a series of unexpected events, such as the discovery of a newborn and a gold chain.

The boy could be Feliciana's son, a noble lady who tells the story of her. She joins the pilgrims to look for her son and they decide to continue together.

In Chapter 4, as they travel, Feliciana joins the pilgrimage. They experience notable danger by being arrested by the Holy Brotherhood, but they are freed thanks to a letter left by a dead man, Diego de Parraces.

In Guadalupe, Feliciana and her family find happiness and decide stay at home. The rest of the pilgrims continue their journey.

Chapters 6 to 15 describe various experiences during the pilgrimage, including encounters with characters such as a Pole named Ortel, French ladies, an old man named Soldino with mystical abilities, and the story of Ortel's adulterous wife.

In Chapters 16 to 21, pilgrims face new challenges, like a fire in an inn, encounters with captives and a plot to attract a lover. Isabela, a woman in love with her, pretends to be possessed to meet her lover Andrea Marulo.

The story ends with the resolution of individual stories and the continuation of the pilgrimage to Rome.

The Works of Persiles and Sigismunda: Summary - Summary of The Works of Persiles and Sigismunda: Book III

Summary of book IV of The Works of Persiles and Sigismunda.

We finish this summary of The works of Persiles and Sigismunda with Book IV. Start with the pilgrims arriving in Rome, where they find an inn and participate in the creation of a book of pilgrim aphorisms. Then, they enter a forest near Rome and discover Arnaldo and the Duke of Nemurs, seriously injured for a dispute related to the portrait of Auristela.

The plot thickens with the love conflicts between Arnaldo, the Duke of Nemurs and Periander for the affection of Auristela. In addition, there is a court case related to Bartolomé and Talaverana, who were sentenced to death, but were released thanks to Croriano's intervention.

Hippolyta, a lady in love with Periander, tries to take revenge on him by casting a spell on him. This results in a dangerous situation for Periander, but eventually, Zabuldo's Jewish wife undoes the spells and Auristela recovers from her illness.

Auristela proposes to Periandro not to marry, which deeply discourages him. Periandro leaves in disgust, and Auristela, along with the other pilgrims, goes out to look for him.

In the development of the book, Periander and Auristela's identity is revealed as Persiles and Sigismunda, brothers from Ireland. Their story is told, their departure disguised as pilgrims and their meeting with Rutilio and Serafido, who confirm the true identity of the brothers.

Finally, Magíminus, Periander's brother, arrives in Rome sick and dies, but before dying, he urges Periander to marry Auristela. This leads to marriage of Persiles and Sigismunda, already known to others as Periander and Auristela. The plot is resolved with other characters also finding happiness with him, and the story concludes with Persiles fulfilling his vow to kiss the pontiff's feet and live his entire life with Sigismunda.

We hope this summary of The works of Persiles and Sigismunda of Cervantes has helped you better understand this important Byzantine work of Spanish literature. Also, here we discover you all the works of Miguel de Cervantes in chronological order.

The works of Persiles and Sigismunda: summary - Summary of book IV of The works of Persiles and Sigismunda

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Bibliography

  • and Saavedra, M. d. c. (1969). The works of Persiles and Sigismunda. Castalia.
  • DE LA REAL, A. AND. (1973). The works of Persiles and Sigismunda.
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