The letters in Anatômico jocoso (1755) by Frei Lucas de Santa Catarina

Abstract

This article aims to present an analysis of missives contained in tome II of the Portuguese jocular periodical Anatômico jocoso (1755), attributed to Frei Lucas de Santa Catarina. This work also seeks to shed light on the modes of epistolary composition in Portuguese jocular journals, in their dialogue with journalistic and periodic correspondence, and with the daily practice of letter writers' urbanity (MIRANDA, LISBOA, 2011). For such purpose, a survey of the main themes contained in the letters was conducted, as well as a rendering of the presence of compositions in verse, revealing interesting aspects about some practices of reading and writing in 18th century Portugal. In addition, taking into account what D. F. Mckenzie (2004) affirms regarding the fact that new media creates new genres, this article aims to contribute to the studies of the history of literature and literary genres, particularly with regards of their origin, their merger or their disappearance when published throughout various media. As a result, we realize that our corpus demonstrates the role of the epistle as a prominent literary and rhetorical genre, presenting significant criticism of social behavior and bringing their own satire on rhetoric and poetics through the jocular treatment offered to various models of letter in the manuals and secretaries, revealing tricks of composition and adaptation to the leaflet support.