An essential chronological framework for students of Portuguese literature.This companion volume offers an introduction to European Portuguese literature for university-level readers. It consists of a chronological overview of Portuguese literature from the twelfth century to the present day, by some ofthe most distinguished literary scholars of recent years, leading into substantial essays centred on major authors, genres or periods, and a study of the history of translations. It does not attempt an encyclopaedic coverage of Portuguese literature, but provides essential chronological and bibliographical information on all major authors and genres, with more extensive treatment of key works and literary figures, and a particular focus on the modern period. It is unashamedly canonical rather than thematic in its examination of central authors and periods, without neglecting female writers. In this way it provides basic reference materials for students beginning the study of Portuguese literature, and for a wider audience looking for general or specific information. The editors have made a principled decision to exclude both Brazilian and African literature, which demand separate treatment. STEPHEN PARKINSON, CLAUDIA PAZOS ALONSO and T. F. EARLE are all members of the Sub-Faculty of Portuguese at the University of Oxford. CONTRIBUTORS: Vanda Anastácio, Helena Carvalhao Buescu, Rip Cohen, T. F. Earle, David Frier,Luís Gomes, Mariana Gray de Castro, Helder Macedo, Patricia Odber de Baubeta, Hilary Owen, Stephen Parkinson, Cláudia Pazos Alonso, Juliet Perkins, Teresa Pinto Coelho, Phillip Rothwell, Mark Sabine, Claire Williams, Clive Willis.

Introduction - Stephen ParkinsonIntroduction - Thomas F Earle and Cláudia Pazos AlonsoEight Centuries of Portuguese Literature: An Overview - Helder MacedoThe Medieval Galician-Portuguese Lyric - Rip Cohen and Stephen ParkinsonFernao Lopes and Portuguese Prose Writing of the Middle Ages - Stephen ParkinsonPortuguese Theatre in the Sixteenth Century: Gil Vicente and António Ferreira - Juliet Perkins and Thomas F EarleThe Lusiads and the Literature of Portuguese Overseas Expansion - Clive WillisLyric Poetry in the Sixteenth Century - Thomas F EarleThe Seventeenth Century - Luís GomesThe Eighteenth Century - Vanda AnastacioAlmeida Garrett: Founder of Modern Portuguese Literature - Helena BuescuThe Transition from Romanticism to Realism - David FrierEça de Queirós: A European Writer - Teresa Pinto CoelhoFernando Pessoa and the Modernist Generation - Mariana Gray de CastroNarrative and Drama during the Dictatorship - Phillip RothwellWomen Writers up to 1974 - Hilary Owen and Cláudia Pazos AlonsoWriting after the Dictatorship - Mark Sabine and Claire WilliamsPortuguese Literature in English Translation - Pat Odber