Mary in Gil Vicente, the Father of Portuguese Theater (1465-1536)

Gil Vicente (1465-1536) and Marian Theater: Devotional Plays and the Presence of Our Lady

The *Auto da Sibila Cassandra*: A Polyphonic Exaltation of the Virgin and Its Original Marian Argument

He is considered the founder of Portuguese theater and one of the most rich poets and personalities of the Renaissance era. His works include religious pieces, comedies, a critique of customs, a vast and colorful gallery of characters from mythological, chivalric, courtly, religious, and angelic realms, traversing diverse environmental and psychological settings, and featuring a satirical and humorous tone that spares no one. Among his *autos*, Gil Vicente maintains a high level of theology supported by a sincere sentiment of piety.

What is an *Auto*?

A theatrical form that emerged in the Middle Ages, consisting of a single act blending religious and secular elements, with its characters being allegorical, symbolizing virtues, sins, angels, and demons.

The Presence of Our Lady in His Works

In his works, Our Lady appears in her beauty and majesty as the Mother of God and in her mercy towards sinners.The *Auto* da Sibila Cassandra is a whole exalting the Virgin in polyphonic fashion.

What is a Sibyl?

A woman believed capable of predicting the future.

The Original Argument

The Sibyl Cassandra believes herself to be the virgin from whom the Lord was born, so she renounces marriage. Upon realizing her error, she invokes and exalts the true Mother of God. Other characters include Isaiah, Abraham, and Moses.We present here some excerpts from the conclusion.All the characters in the *Auto* reveal who the true Mother of God is.*Salve stella matutina* (Hail, morning star)

Isaiah (to Cassandra). Be silent, foolish one. Such a mother requires much more, and much more was prophesied. As for you, you are your opposite: vain, arrogant, and proud. This unparalleled mother has humility as her trait. Rivers and fields sing her beauty, snow her spotless purity, virtues not found in creatures. The flowers of creation are inspired by her, and among the stars in heaven, there is no brighter star. Conceived without sin, elected queen before her birth, chosen from eternity, loved by God and chosen as his mother. By virtue, she is a radiant and generous queen, by grace, an empress, by humility, a great lady, so that the world has never seen a creature so sublime. Her name is Mary, and this exposes your presumptions. Her Son, Emmanuel, as I prophesied, will eat butter and honey.

ABRAHAM (to Isaiah). A thousand times you have pointed out and announced the Messiah of God, I swear to you: you did not lie.

MOSES (to Solomon). You too, Solomon, in your songs, you propose prophecies and say of her: “My beauty,” “My dove,” who delights in your glory and at your sight fills the soul with joy, despite the harshness of life.

ABRAHAM. If it were to manifest what was predestined for her, no one could imagine, for the infinite escapes our mind. Everything was prophesied by the will of God.

CASSANDRA. O Lord, I am so lost and contrite that I dare not ask for anything. I did not know wisdom and prudence. I do not deserve to live. Virgin and Mother of God, I come to you, flower of women. By the seven gifts that God granted you, pray for the wicked world.

CIMMERIA. Mirror of generations and nations, daughter of God, mother and wife, high, glorious, queen, summit of perfections, path of pilgrims who weep, advocate of the people, I deliver myself into your hands.

PERESICA. Unique good, planet of our glory, assurance of victory, our banner of laurels.

ERUÉIA. Hail, morning star, so divine. Hail, white rose. You gave birth to the Redeemer, and your beauty after childbirth became more delicate.

(Thus ends her praise, the characters go on to sing the following hymn, composed and set to music by the author)

ALL. The girl is very graceful, very graceful. Tell her, sailor who lives at sea, if the ship or the sail or the star are so beautiful.

Tell her, knight, locked in his armor, if the horse or the weapons or the war are so beautiful.

Tell her, shepherdess, who guards your flock, if it or the valleys or the meadows are so beautiful.

(The Sibyl Cassandra’s Play)

The Birth of Jesus

It seems to me, my Lady, That in this darkness No lights are needed, For the Lord, who is now born, Is the true Light himself.Do not worry About preparing food. He himself is abundance, His name is the Bread of Life. Therefore, nothing more is lacking.If he chose A so poor a dwelling place to be born, Do not be troubled by that. Where he comes to be, There is his heavenly court.If you lack small cloths, There will be no great misfortune. He will have something to cover himself, He who clothed heaven and earth With great beauty.The presence of Mary in art and literature as an expression of popular faith is valued by Paul VI in the Apostolic Exhortation Marialis Cultus, which recognizes in artistic and literary works dedicated to Mary a legitimate and precious form of transmitting Marian faith over the centuries.Deepen your studies: explore Mariology, Marian Theology, Marian Apparitions, and the Postgraduate Studies in Mariology.