First published: Part I, 1599; Part II, 1604 (English translation, 1622)

Type of work: Novel

Type of plot: Picaresque romance

Time of work: Sixteenth century

Locale: Spain and Italy

Central Characters and Setting

The novel unfolds in the vibrant landscapes of Spain and Italy during the sixteenth century and explores the adventures of its titular character, Guzmán de Alfarache. Guzmán is a cunning rogue intertwined with a colorful cast, including a muleteer, a cook, a captain of soldiers, his uncle Don Beltran, and Sayavedra, a fellow trickster. These characters weave in and out of Guzmán’s journey, contributing to the novel's rich tapestry of deceit and survival.

Plot Overview

Guzmán de Alfarache hails from a family of Genoese merchants who, despite their noble airs, thrive on trade and usury. His father’s obsession with wealth leads him into a series of adventures, eventually marrying a Moorish widow after converting to Islam during his captivity in Algiers. This marriage enables him to escape with her fortune, return to Seville, recover from a deceitful partner, and resume life as a gentleman involved in trade and gambling.

Guzmán’s father’s fortune is fleeting, consumed by his excesses, leaving Guzmán destitute after his death. Starting at fourteen, Guzmán embarks on his own adventure, quickly learning the harsh realities of the world. He encounters a series of misadventures, from being tricked into eating spoiled food to being falsely accused of theft, all of which set the tone for his life of trickery and survival.

Guzmán’s Journey

As Guzmán wanders Spain, he meets various colorful characters, including beggars who teach him the art of deception. His journey takes him to Madrid, where he cannot find work due to his tattered appearance, forcing him to join a band of beggars. He becomes a porter and later a scullion, stealing from his masters and eventually planning a significant theft from a trusting grocer, which allows him to dream of a new life in Genoa.

After a series of further deceptions and close calls, Guzmán joins a company of soldiers traveling to Italy, hoping to leave his troubles behind. However, he finds himself embroiled in even more trickery, culminating in a scam involving a jeweler in Barcelona. When his usefulness wanes, his supposed allies abandon him in Genoa, where he is shunned by his wealthy relatives.

Life as a Rogue

In Rome, Guzmán adopts the life of a professional beggar, employing tricks to draw sympathy and alms. He attracts the attention of a cardinal who unwittingly exposes Guzmán’s deceit but keeps him in his household. Guzmán’s tenure is short-lived, as his thieving ways eventually lead to his dismissal.

Guzmán’s next role is as a page to a French ambassador in Rome. His antics as a jester and intermediary in the ambassador’s love affairs result in further embarrassment and forced flight when his true nature is revealed. Sayavedra, a fellow rogue, briefly becomes his companion, but trust between thieves is short-lived.

Trials and Tribulations

Guzmán’s adventures continue in Italy, where he loses his stolen wealth to Sayavedra’s betrayal. Despite this setback, he schemes to retrieve his goods, only to face imprisonment and release with nothing to show for his efforts. His journey takes him through various Italian cities, each offering new opportunities for deceit and survival.

Returning to Spain, Guzmán attempts to settle down through marriage, but financial ruin and personal loss follow. His life spirals into further chaos until he is finally sentenced to the galleys for his crimes. There, a chance to redeem himself arises when he thwarts a mutiny, earning him favor with the captain and a petition for royal...