Feliciano de Silva facts for kids

Feliciano de Silva (born in 1491, died June 24, 1554) was a famous Spanish writer. He was born in Ciudad Rodrigo into an important family. Silva became well-known for writing "sequels," which are follow-up stories, to popular books like La Celestina and Amadis de Gaula.

He wrote many books. His first story about knights and their adventures, called Lisuarte de Grecia, came out in 1514. This book was about the nephew of a hero named Amadis de Gaula. Later, in 1530, he published Amadis of Greece, which was also very popular. This book told the adventures of Amadis of Greece, who was known as the Knight of the Burning Sword. He was the son of Lisuarte of Greece and Onoloria of Trabizond. The story also included his love for Princess Lucela of France and Princess Niquea of Thebes, whom he later married.

Silva continued writing more knightly tales. He wrote Don Florisel de Niquea (Sir Florisel of Nicaea) in 1532. This book was about the adventures and loves of the first son of Amadis of Greece and Princess Niquea. Then came Don Rogel de Grecia (Sir Rogel of Greece) in 1535. In 1551, he published a very long book called Cuarta parte de don Florisel. Many of his adventure stories were translated into English and French.

Feliciano de Silva also wrote a sequel to Celestina called Segunda Celestina. This was a unique story that mixed clever humor, themes about everyday life, and beautiful poetry. It was one of the most popular follow-ups to Celestina and told the love story of Felides and Polandria.

He also wrote a story called Sueño de Feliciano de Silva (Feliciano de Silva's Dream). This story was added to the end of Amadis of Greece. It was about Silva's own romance with the woman he married in 1520, Gracia Fe. His family did not approve of this marriage. Feliciano de Silva passed away in Ciudad Rodrigo and was buried in a convent that no longer exists today.

Florisel of Niquea: A Knight's Tale

Florisel of Niquea is a Spanish story about knights from the 1500s. It is the tenth book in the famous Amadís de Gaula series and continues the exciting adventures.

The book was first printed in Valladolid in 1532. Its full title was quite long: 'The Chronicle of the Very Brave and Hard-working and Invincible Knights Don Florisel de Niquea and the Strong Anaxartes, sons of the very excellent Prince Amadís of Greece'. The story is split into two parts. The first part has 69 chapters, and the second has 64. The book pretends to be a translation from an old Greek story written by Queen Zirfea of Argines. Then, it was supposedly translated into Latin, and finally, Silva translated it into Spanish.

Main Characters and Their Adventures

This book tells the adventures of Don Florisel de Niquea. He is the son of Amadis of Greece and Niquea. It also features his half-brothers, Anaxartes and Alastraxerea. They were the children of Amadis of Greece and Queen Zahara of the Caucasus. Many other knights and maidens also appear in the story.

The main characters are based on the famous heroes Amadis and Galaor. However, in this story, Don Florisel is a bit of a changing and uncertain lover. Anaxartes, the second main character, is always loyal and a good example.

First Book: The Start of the Journey

The story begins with twins, Anaxartes and Alastraxerea. They are the sons of Queen Zahara of the Caucasus. They believe their father is the god Mars, but their real father is Amadis of Greece. They become knights and set off to find adventures.

Florisel de Niquea is tricked by Princess Arlanda of Thrace. From their relationship, a son named Florarlán will be born. Meanwhile, Silvia, who is Florisel's aunt, arrives in Niquea. She thinks her parents are shepherds from Alexandria. Silvia meets Alastraxerea, and they decide to try and free Prince Anastarax. Silvia is in love with Anastarax, who is trapped by a spell in the Tower of the Universe.

On their journey, they meet other characters. These include Zair of Trabzon, his twin Leonoria, and Oriana. Silvia successfully breaks the spell on Anastarax. It is then revealed that Silvia is actually the daughter of Lisuarte de Grecia and Onoloria.

Florisel de Niquea falls in love with Elena. She is the daughter of King Brimartes of Apollonia (which is Poland). Elena is engaged to Prince Lucidor of France. Florisel tries to avoid Arlanda by pretending to be Alastraxerea, who looks very much like him. Alastraxerea tries to help Florisel by pretending to be him, but she gets caught by Arlanda.

Wanting to escape, Florisel, still pretending to be Alastraxerea, agrees to defend the Tower of the Universe. Arlanda soon discovers the trick. She orders Alastraxerea to go and kill the Guardian of the Tower. Before Alastraxerea arrives, Anaxartes appears at the Tower. He fights Florisel, not knowing who he really is. Their fight is very fierce, and both fall unconscious. This breaks the spell on the Tower, freeing all the princes who were trapped there. Among them were Amadis de Gaula, Esplandián, Lisuarte de Grecia, and Amadis of Greece.

Florisel goes to Apolonia to try and stop Lucidor and Elena's wedding. Alastraxerea, still pretending to be Florisel, is kidnapped by Don Falanges de Astra. He is the son of the King of Trapobana and has fallen in love with her. To rescue her, Florisel disguises himself as Alastraxerea. He is captured by Falanges, but he manages to free his sister. Falanges forgives the trick and decides to go with Florisel to Apolonia. They arrive shortly before Lucidor. Florisel secretly marries Elena, and they escape to Constantinople, where their wedding celebrations are held.

Second Book: War and New Beginnings

Prince Lucidor is very angry and vows revenge on the Greek royal family. This leads to a war between France and Greece. After many battles, the King of Russia, who was helping the Greeks, switches sides to support Lucidor. This forces the Greeks to retreat. However, the King of Russia then decides to attack the French. The Greeks then help Lucidor's army, and together they defeat the traitorous King of Russia.

After the war, Amadis of Greece feels his old love for Princess Lucela return. He goes to a deserted mountain, where he falls under a spell. Florisel and other knights search for him. During this search, Florisel is forced to marry Queen Sidonia of Guindaya island to save Don Falanges de Astra. Florisel pretends to be someone else, named Morayzel. Sidonia becomes pregnant with Florisel's child, but he leaves her as soon as he can. Sidonia gives birth to a daughter named Diana. The angry mother offers Diana's hand in marriage to anyone who brings her Florisel's head. During a trip to Constantinople, Lucela manages to break the spell on Amadis of Greece.

At the end of the story, all the main characters gather in Rhodes. With the help of Zirfea, Alquife, and 'Urganda the Unknown', Amadis of Greece finally recognizes Anaxartes and Alastraxerea as his children. Back in Constantinople, many weddings are celebrated. These include Falanges and Alastraxerea, Anaxartes and Oriana, Florisel and Elena, Anastarax and Silvia, and Lucidor and Leonoria.

How the Book Spread: Translations

Florisel de Niquea was translated into Italian language and published in Venice in 1551. It was also translated into French language. However, its two parts were published as separate books in 1551 and 1552. These became Books IX and X of the French Amadis series.

Once divided, the work was also translated into German language. It was published as books IX (in 1573) and X (in 1574) of the German Amadis series. It was also translated into Dutch language in 1596 and 1597.

What Came Next: Sequels to Florisel

Feliciano de Silva continued the story of Florisel de Niquea in his book Rogel de Grecia. This was like the third part of Florisel de Niquea and was published in 1535. Another writer, Pedro de Luján, continued this story in his book Silves de la Selva, published in 1546.

However, Silva did not use Luján's work. Instead, in 1551, he published a very large book called Fourth Part of Don Florisel de Niquea. This was the last book in the Spanish Amadis series. Later, an Italian writer named Mambrino Roseo wrote a continuation of Silves de la Selva. This was the first part of Esferamundi of Greece, published in Venice in 1558.

In 1554, Mambrino Roseo also published another Italian continuation of Florisel. This book was called Florarlán de Thracia. It told the adventures of Florarlán, who was the son of Don Florisel de Niquea and Princess Arlanda of Thrace.

Silva's Lasting Impact

Feliciano de Silva's writing style was later made fun of by the famous writer Miguel de Cervantes. Cervantes even made Feliciano de Silva the favorite author of his main character, Don Quixote.

Y de todos ellos ninguno le parecían tan bien como los que compuso el famoso Feliciano de Silva, porque la claridad de su prosa y aquellas intrincadas razones suyas le parecían de perlas.

Translation:

But of all there were none he liked so well as those of the famous Feliciano de Silva's composition, for their lucidity of style and complicated conceits were as pearls in his sight.

Most experts who study Don Quixote have agreed with Cervantes in making fun of Silva's books. However, many of these experts had not actually read Silva's works themselves. Even though he is not widely remembered today, Feliciano de Silva was very successful during the 1500s. His books are now being looked at again to understand their importance to Spanish literature during the Siglo de Oro, a golden age of Spanish art and literature.

See also

In Spanish: Feliciano de Silva para niños