The Lusiads (1572) is an epic poem celebrating the Portuguese voyages to India and Southeast Asia, portraying Portugal as divinely favored explorers and heroes. Written in exile and structured in ten cantos with a decasyllabic ottava rima rhyme scheme, the poem blends history and mythology. It follows Vasco da Gama’s voyage, with Greek gods intervening—Venus supporting the Portuguese and Bacchus opposing them. The narrative includes Portuguese history, legendary battles, mythical creatures like the giant Adamastor, and encounters with natives and Muslims. The epic concludes with divine prophecies about exploration and advice to King Sebastian. Considered a cornerstone of Portuguese literature, it is often compared to Virgil’s Aeneid.
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