O além e a salvação na obra Auto da Alma, de Gil Vicente

Abstract

During the Middle Ages, the literary narratives presented several characteristics that contributed to the formation of the medieval imaginary, especially in the sacred, which appeared in the most diverse forms, from everyday events to the symbolism of elements that recall of the sacred. Among the topics most commonly addressed are visions about the beyond, highlighting the concepts of purgatory, heavenly paradise and hell, which were called constant elements that directed the behavior of the individuals of the society of the time. In the Renaissance, one of the most renowned authors was the playwright Gil Vicente, who produced pieces dealing with religious, pastoral, farce, and comedies, and was known for his criticism of Portuguese society in the 16th century, as well as being one of the first playwright to value the local language and culture. Among his works, the work entitled "Self of the Soul", which was presented in 1518, tells the story of Alma on his pilgrimage accompanied by the Angel called Custódio in the beyond in search of the Church, which was considered as a hostess, who would be the resting place for the souls redeemed by Christianity. In this way, the present work has the objective of analyzing the religious elements present in the medieval religious milieu and the importance of the characters in the construction of the play "Auto da Alma". For the accomplishment of this work a bibliographical survey of the primary source - viz. - the piece the "Auto da Alma" and secondary sources was carried out.