picaresque etymology

Etymology

The term "picaresque" comes from the Spanish word "pícaro," which means "rogue" or "scoundrel." It was first used in the 16th century to describe a type of fictional character who was a resourceful and often amoral adventurer.

Meaning

Picaresque literature is a genre of fiction that typically features a protagonist who is a rogue or an outcast from society. The protagonist typically has a series of adventures, often involving trickery and deception. Picaresque novels often satirize the social and political conventions of their time.

Origin

The picaresque genre originated in Spain in the 16th century. The first picaresque novel is generally considered to be "Lazarillo de Tormes" (1554), by an unknown author. "Lazarillo de Tormes" was a huge success and spawned a number of imitators.

The picaresque genre became popular in other countries in Europe in the 17th and 18th centuries. Some of the most famous picaresque novels include:

• "Don Quixote" (1605) by Miguel de Cervantes
• "Moll Flanders" (1722) by Daniel Defoe
• "Tom Jones" (1749) by Henry Fielding
• "Joseph Andrews" (1742) by Henry Fielding
• "The Life and Adventures of Tristram Shandy, Gentleman" (1759) by Laurence Sterne

The picaresque genre has continued to be popular in modern times. Some examples of modern picaresque novels include:

• "Catch-22" (1961) by Joseph Heller
• "The Catcher in the Rye" (1951) by J.D. Salinger
• "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" (1884) by Mark Twain

Picaresque literature is a diverse and often entertaining genre that has been popular for centuries. It continues to be a source of inspiration for writers today.

picaresque relate terms

• pike

  Etymology Pike is derived from the Middle English word pike which is in turn derived

• pike

  Etymology Pike is derived from the Middle English word pike which is in turn derived

• pike

  Etymology Pike is derived from the Middle English word pike which is in turn derived

• picaroon

  Etymology The word picaroon comes from the Spanish word picarón which means rascal

• picaresque

  Etymology The term picaresque comes from the Spanish word pícaro which means rogue

• roman

  Etymology Roman derives from the Latin word Romanus which originally referred to t

• America

  Etymology America derives from the feminine Latin name Amerigo which is the Latinized

• justice

  Etymology and Origin of Justice Etymology The word justice derives from the Latin te

• control

  Etymology Latin controllus meaning check restraint French contrôle English

• opportunity

  Etymology The word opportunity comes from the Latin word opportunitas which means f

• resilience

  Etymology Latin resilient springing back French résilient elastic springy

• osmosis

  Etymology Greek ὠσμός ōsmós meaning pushing thrusting impulse Meaning

• pardon

  Etymology The word pardon comes from the Old French word pardonner which itself come