As lágrimas do silêncio e o silêncio das lágrimas

Abstract

The present essay intends to demonstrate the difference of the stereotyped and conventional use of tears in Luís de Camões' poetry and in romantic works and the use of silent tears in some contemporary novels written by women. We will give special emphasis to two episodes of Os Lusíadas, two Almeida Garrett's works (Frei Luís de Sousa and Viagens na Minha Terra), Camilo Castelo Branco's novel Lágrimas Abençoadas and the following contemporary novels: Lídia Jorge (Notícia da Cidade Silvestre, O Jardim sem Limites and O Vento Assobiando nas Gruas), Maria Velho da Costa (Myra), Teolinda Gersão (A Árvore das Palavras) and Hélia Correia (Lillias Fraser and Um Bailarino na Batalha). The examples could have been others, but these are sufficient to our goal.