O louvor da escrita da história como “remédio para a memória” nas crônicas de Gomes Eanes de Zurara

Abstract

ABSTRACT: This paper deals with the update of the topos of writing as “medicine for memory” in the chronicles by Gomes Eanes de Zurara, written in the late medieval period in Portugal. Considering the fact that Zurara acted as chief chronicler of the royal court, we center our attention on the praise that he especially directs to the writing of history as the best way to immortalize, or save from oblivion, the names and deeds of the people that did good in the service of God and of the king. Starting from the commonplace that time makes even the most notable events “slip away” from the fragile memory of men, Zurara, while praising the writing of history as a sacred antidote to oblivion, presents himself, writer of history, and King Afonso V, the orderer of written histories, as indispensable reminders to the social body.

KEYWORDS: Portuguese Literature – Fifteenth century. Gomes Eanes de Zurara – Chronicles. Chronicles – Writing of History. Literature and memory.