Pedro Urdemales

Pedro Urdemales is a character from Latin American (especially Chilean and Guatemalan) folklore that typifies the rogue, rascal or trickster. In Brazil, Portugal and lusophone culture, he is known as Pedro Malasartes.

Origin

The origin of this character is present in the medieval Spanish legends. The oldest documented reference was found in the late 12th century, in an Aragonese paper, in which a character is named "Pedro de Urdemalas."

First Appearance in Literature

The first literary mention is located in the book Libro del paso honroso, by Suero de Quiñones, possibly written in 1440. Shortly after, new references are found in theatrical authors about this character, where he becomes a prototype of a ruffian in several entremeses (interludes). Thus, Pedro de Urdemales takes part in works of Juan del Encina, Lucas Fernández, Lope de Rueda and Juan de Timoneda.

Miguel de Cervantes, author of Don Quixote, wrote a full-length comedy in verse based on the character, and entitled Pedro de Urdemalas. In 1615, it was published in the collection Ocho comedias y ocho entremeses (Eight Plays and Eight Interludes), and can be read online,[1] and has been translated into English several times. It has, however, rarely been produced. dead link]

References

http://cervantes.tamu.edu/V2/CPI/index.html

See also

• Till Eulenspiegel: Similar German legend
• Coyote (mythology)