Gil Vicente

Gil Vicente, the father of the Portuguese drama, was born, probably at Lisbon, about 1470, and died, probably at Evora, shortly after 1536. He studied jurisprudence at the university of Lisbon, but soon abandoned this for dramatic poetry. His first piece, a pastoral drama in Spanish, was represented in 1502, to celebrate the birth of an heir to the throne. The success of this play led to his being employed on all similar occasions throughout the reigns of Emanuel and John III. He produced in all 42 pieces, of which 10 were in Spanish, 17 in Portuguese, and the remainder in both languages. They consist of religious dramas, comedies, and farces; are composed almost wholly in the medieval spirit; and contain several touches of poetic feeling, and in places are rich in humour. The first edition of his works was published in 1562. In 1834 a complete reprint was issued by Feio and Monteiro (3 vols. Hamb.).