José do Telhado, song and decanted in literary works

honor, courage and justice

Abstract

In this text, I reflect on the representations made, through novelists, of a Portuguese bandit-hero, José Teixeira da Silva, known as José do Telhado, who lived in the 19th century, in the Porto District region of Portugal. José do Telhado commanded a gang of robbers whose important aspects were to avoid “the use of physical violence”, to make a moral classification of their possible victims, as well as the fact of “stealing from the rich to distribute with the poor”. The widespread maxim is that he pursued a morality, sought an honor, having as a corollary or opposition the establishment of a “popular justice”. Camilo Castelo Branco, celebrated Portuguese novelist, made José do Telhado notable, germinating an illustrious, renowned, and famous robber, giving wings to the popular imagination. He was classified by some novelists, who dedicated themselves to this theme, as the greatest robber / bandit of the 19th century, from Portugal, having been exiled to Africa. In his trajectory, in the novels, this character is praised for the values ​​of kindness, altruism, resilience and due to an honest behavior.