The Trials of Persiles and Sigismunda
Miguel de
Cervantes Saavedra is famous for having written “Don Quixote”, deservedly
considered a classic novel. What may be less known is that Cervantes himself
considered another book to be his masterpiece. On his deathbed he finished “The
Trials of Persiles and Sigismunda” (or “The Travels of Persiles and Sigismunda”),
the book he wanted to be remembered for.
Cervantes
was wrong. Where “Don Quixote” has earned its place in popular culture “Persiles
and Sigismunda” has largely disappeared. And for good reason. It is not
anywhere as good as “Don Quixote”. Not even close.
“The Trials
of Persiles and Sigismunda” is a “road movie” or the equivalent in literature,
following the journey taken by two young characters, the heroic Periandro and the
matchless Auristella, and whatever retinue they may pick up, from a barbaric island
in what I presume is northern Norway to their destination in Rome. In the
course of this journey they suffer an endless string of mishaps and accidents
that all threatens to kill, separate or at least marry them off against their
will. These are not minor events and Cervantes gets points for inventiveness:
Human sacrifice to an evil god, shipwrecks, pirates, sorceresses and lovesick
kings, princess, crown prince and dukes.
Each
challenge is quickly presented and solved in three to ten pages and on to the
next challenge, an episodic form reminiscent of the picaresque novel. That is
good for pacing, but it is also too fast. I cannot help comparing it to an endless
tv-series of half hour episodes each with a resolved, almost independent story.
The book is
divided into four parts: The sea journey to the land of Hibernia, the stay at
Policarpo’s court on Hibernia and their escape, the land voyage through Spain
and France and finally the climactic ending in Rome. Of these the second part is
maybe the most interesting part. It is relatively static, the party is stuck on
the island as guests of King Policarpo, but it involves at lot of people, each
with their agenda and a situation that is spinning out of control.
There is a
lot of potential in the story. The framework of it makes for an interesting
tale and the challenges are inventive, coupled with a host of interesting characters.
Where it goes wrong for Cervantes is in his desire to write a refined book.
That means a book in exquisite language and with a moral gravity. This becomes
a straitjacket rather than an asset, especially to the modern reader, and the
first victim is the humor and sardonic wit that made “Don Quixote” such an
ageless pleasure to read. Without this, Cervantes is reduced from exceptional
to standard and it is difficult to see why this story should be regarded as
anything special.
Still I
have a nagging feeling that Cervantes could not help himself and exaggerated the
religious themes so much that it became almost sarcastic. I have no proof of
it, but it is possible to read the ending in that context. Persiles and
Sigismunda has for the duration for their journey been posing as brother and
sister under the names Periandro and Auristela, but we know they love and are committed
to each other. Especially Persiles has been going through hell to serve and
save Sigismunda repeatedly. Yet, at the end of their journey Sigismunda tells
him, without blinking, that, sorry dude, I cannot marry you, I want to devote
my life to God. This is a very pious move, but also completely outrageous given
the ordeals they have been through and totally without regard for Persiles
feelings. A part of me wants to think that this is Cervantes slam at the
church, but I am not convinced because it is also completely in line with the
tone of the entire book. He might actually mean that this is a good idea.
