Fernando Pessoa

Description: (Portuguese Modernist Poet and Author of 'Mensagem' and 'The Book of Disquiet')

Fernando António Nogueira Pessoa was a noted literary figure of the 20th century Portugal and is known to be the greatest poet of the Portuguese language. He was a multi-talented literary personality involved with writing, literary criticism, publishing, translating, and practicing astrology and occult all his life. Pessoa was born in Portugal but spent most of his youth in South Africa with his mother and his stepfather. He went to University of Cape Town and fell in love with the English language, the language in which he exhibited a lot of command and fluency. He shifted back to Portugal in 1905 and his literary journey started from there. He translated commercial and literary material for various magazines and started his own publishing house on two different occasions. Pessoa was a unique writer who used to write under heteronyms and had at least 72 heteronyms apart from ‘Fernando Pessoa’. He preferred writing like this as it gave him a chance to write outside his own personality and create something exceptional. He was also interested in practicing spirituality and occultism and was known to be a medium (one who purportedly mediates communication between spirits of the dead and other human beings) and wrote down his experiences as a medium in many of his writings. He also practiced astrology and used to charge for making horoscopes. Most of his work was only published after he died and while he was still alive, he got an opportunity to get only one book published in Portuguese, "Mensagem".

Overview

Birthday June 13, 1888 (Gemini)
Alternative names Fernando António Nogueira Pessoa
City Lisbon, Portugal
Died on November 30, 1935
Parents Joaquim de Seabra Pessoa
Maria Madalena Pinheiro Nogueira
Relatives Jorge Nogueira de Seabra Pessoa

Did you know

What are the major literary works of Fernando Pessoa? Fernando Pessoa's major literary works include "The Book of Disquiet," a collection of fragments and thoughts; his poetry collection "Message"; and his collection of heteronyms' works, such as Alberto Caeiro's "The Keeper of Sheep."
How did Fernando Pessoa's heteronyms influence his writing? Fernando Pessoa's creation of heteronyms allowed him to explore different perspectives and styles of writing, giving depth and complexity to his works. Each heteronym had its own unique voice and literary identity.
What is the significance of Fernando Pessoa's concept of "saudade?" Fernando Pessoa's concept of "saudade" represents a deep emotional state of longing, nostalgia, and melancholy, which often permeates his poetry and prose, reflecting themes of existential solitude and the search for meaning.
How did Fernando Pessoa's writing style challenge traditional literary conventions? Fernando Pessoa's writing style challenged traditional literary conventions by experimenting with innovative forms, such as heteronyms, and exploring themes of identity, subjectivity, and the nature of reality in a fragmented and introspective manner.
What is the legacy of Fernando Pessoa in the literary world? Fernando Pessoa is considered one of the most significant literary figures of the 20th century, known for his innovative writing style, exploration of complex philosophical themes, and creation of diverse heteronyms that continue to inspire and influence writers and thinkers worldwide.
All Filters