Amor e amizade na cultura política dos séculos XVI e XVII

Abstract

This article explores the political meaning of friendship and love in Portugal during the 16th and 17th century. In its first part we present an outline of the early-modern theological and moral literature that dealt with the subject of friendship and love. It will become evident that a great deal of authors stressed the social and political significance of the bonds of affection. We then concentrate on the various ways the Christian friendship shaped the interaction between people in the several sectors of the body politic. The last part of this article is concerned with the role of love in the relationship between the Portuguese kings and their vassals. This article therefore argues that the early modern political culture cannot be understood unless we take into account its Catholic foundations.