EDUCATING TO SAVE THE SOUL: the example of the knight Tungullo

Abstract

The imaginary journey of Tungullo or the knight Túndalo, translated into Portuguese in the end of the XIV th century and beginning of the XV th century had as one of its main objectives the education of clergy and laity, to stimulate correct Christian behavioral actions for people to reach salvation in the afterlife. The story circulated in the Portuguese kingdom in a moment of fear of death because of the Black Death, with cultural events in Europe, such as Danse Macabre. At the same time, the period is characterized by the establishment of Avis Dynasty in power and the beginning of the Great Navigations. Translated by Alcobaça monastery monks, there is in Portugal two versions of the manuscript (codices 244 and 266) that show the passage of the protagonist by hellish and paradisiacal spaces and then his behavior change after the return of the experience beyond the tomb.